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Ask Dr. Stanley: Your Heart’s Desire

How do I delight myself in the Lord?

Charles F. Stanley January 21, 2023

What do you want most? Success and recognition? Comfort and ease? Long life and good health? Or do you desire God’s peace, knowledge of Him, and the salvation of your family and friends? The psalmist tells us how our heart’s desire can be fulfilled. And today’s e-mail asks for clarification:

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I know what my heart’s desire is, but I’m not sure how to delight myself in the Lord.

Illustration by Dan Forster

God’s promise is clear in Psalm 37: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (v. 4). But the desires of your heart must be in keeping with His plan, purpose, and will for your life. God loves you too much to give you something that is not good for you.

Now, is it possible to make something happen by your own strength and according to your own determination? Yes, but if God doesn’t support your goal, it won’t work in the long term. Your plan may even come to fruition, but it will never satisfy you.

To delight yourself in the Lord means to be pleased with Him. It means experiencing great joy in knowing, obeying, and trusting our heavenly Father. It means a life committed to talking, listening, and surrendering to Him daily.

Remember that anything this world has to offer—anything we can achieve or dream for ourselves—will pass away. But the love of God is forever. Only He can ever truly satisfy our soul. If you want His best, there’s one thing you need to do: Hold nothing back. Give yourself to Him fully.

Editor's Note: This Q&A was adapted from an archived broadcast of In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley.

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