Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
It is no surprise that this is a favorite verse for many people. I used to love quoting this verse and I still do. But now, as I mature in my walk with Christ, its meaning is more profound.
Seriously, how many of us would desire to be humiliated, persecuted, wrongly accused or shunned? Any takers? Well, when we desire to follow Christ, then we follow His way, which means we will often encounter much of what He did when He walked on this earth.
Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20
I don't hear of many people naming and claiming persecution. On the contrary, we are believing for the luxury car, mansion and a fantastic lifestyle. After all, they are rightfully ours, since we are royalty - children of the Most High King. Unfortunately, we fail to realize that God's kingdom is opposite of that of the world's.
Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 2 Thesslonians 1:4-5
There goes all my mountaintop experiences. You see, I would rather stay on the mountaintop where all is well and I can truly celebrate Christ for all He has done for me. However, it seems that Paul was saying that he was boasting of the perseverance of the saints while they were being persecuted and going through trying periods, and because of all this suffering, God judged them worthy of His kingdom.
It is in these wilderness and valley experiences that our faithfulness and love for Christ are truly tested. When we can love Him and praise Him, in spite of everything, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17
These are the saints who will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:31 If we are not ready to serve and suffer, then we cannot be really called heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. We want the prize without the pressure. But, God has something else in mind for us. He has His desires and it is for us to fulfill His vision.
We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we
are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are
not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the
shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the
most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people. --Oswald Chambers
When we delight in someone, we long to fulfill their will. We become "soft" when we are in their presence and we are at their beck and call, ready to comply with any wish or command. Desiring to satisfy their desires, we will face unfavorable circumstances to give them joy. When we make the decision to be God's vision, we should consider it pure joy to face trials of many kinds. (paraphrased, James 1:2) Then, we will become the Lord's delight.
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4
God delights in us when we are humble, righteous, patient during trials and trust completely in Him. He will give us our crown of salvation, which we got in exchange for Christ's crown of thorns. Lest we forget, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
The joy set before Jesus was giving us salvation. He delighted in us so much, that He looked beyond the pain of the cross, humbled himself and became the perfect sacrifice to save us from our sinful ways. Jesus' love for us made Him endure the cruelty of His crucifixion, so we could be partakers in His glory.
Will our love for Jesus, give us joy to endure our cross? Are we truly ready to delight in the Lord, and become His delightful desire?
My Desire - Kirk Franklin & Fred Hammond
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