Do we really understand this when we hear it; “the joy of the LORD”? I wonder how many times I’ve flipped it and mistakenly heard it as, “the joy of ME”. Seriously, I am so myopic in my view of life…after all, isn’t all about me?
If I am truly seeking the joy of the LORD, then I am seeking those things, those attitudes, those purposes, and those desires that give God joy…ohhh, that’s sure different, ain’t it. I mean, don’t we so often think that we were created for our pleasure, that our happiness and joy is what it is all about? We consider it pure joy when we get what we want and we act like spoiled little kids when my genie image of God is shattered; when He is silent to our tantrums, to our selfish desires, to our mean-spirited ambitions. Isn’t it wise to look after what we want in life…after all, it’s all about me, right?
I’d be afraid to ask God to tally up how many times I asked Him for silly, self-pleasing stuff versus how many times I asked Him about what I could do for Him…that would please Him? I shudder to see how lop-sided that would look…yikes.
For a time now, I’ve tried to start out my day, asking God what I could do today to please Him. I also ask at the end of my day, what things I did that DID please God. And YES, I just so happen to have it posted on my PDA each day to remind me. LOL.
So, when was the last time YOU asked God, “Lord, what pleases You? What will place a smile on Your face? What can I do for You, Abba, Father, Papa God?”
Hmmmm.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
To get the desires of your heart is to delight yourself in the LORD…to be in pursuit of the things that delight, please, bless the LORD. When that condition is met and matched than of course He will give you the desires of your heart. It’s because they become one and the same…they fit into His joy and it pleases him.
We need to understand that God takes pleasure in the things that interest us and that He is a loving Father that gives us good things…and those things must match His nature and His will and purposes for our lives.
It is important to look at God in relationship rather than just as the ultimate provider. I need to be in relationship with Him, to also seek His delight…the joy of MY Lord.
It is not a genie-in-a-bottle situation; it is a loving Father who truly knows what is best for us….and He does want to give us the desires of our hearts…. Don’t you want to do the same for Him?
Daddy, I want to give you the desires of Your heart. What can I do right now to place a smile on Your face and glint in Your eye?
2 comments:
:)
Good stuff Keiger. I don't think I've been praying that exactly. I still have a little anxiety when I think about asking God what specifically I can do to please him. I imagine that he's gonna suggest I go talk to someone randomly without knowing why or what to say. Strange that that still gets to me.
Lord I lay my anxieties at your feet. And it is indeed my desire to bring you joy.
Post a Comment