One of my favorites is titled “The Fiddler.” I enjoy
the story, but this time as I read, something popped out at me that I missed
the other times I read it. “The desires of our heart.”
This is from Psalm 37:4 which says: “Take delight in
the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
When we read about the desires of our heart, we mainly think
of those things that we want that make us happy. I’ve thought of seeing a
glorious sunrise, a visit with far away friends, a good meal to celebrate a
happy occasion. But the words I read in the story caused me to pause. I’m sure
I’ve heard a sermon about this before, but I just don’t remember. Here’s what
was written:
“She [the Wise Woman] once quoted a Bible verse from a
psalm to me: ‘Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the
desires of thine heart.’ Then she went on to explain that when our lives line
up with God’s will, the desire referred to means Him. The Lord Himself.”
Michael paused, eyes brighter now. “It’s not so much that we desire things or
circumstances to change, she says, but that we’ve always desired our heavenly
Father. He is our first true love.” Beverly Lewis, The Fiddler
I looked the verse up in some commentaries and found this to
be true.
ExplainingtheBible.com: “When we read Psalms 37:4, we
encounter a powerful promise that comes with a beautiful condition. At its
core, this verse encourages us to delight ourselves in the Lord. This means
that our joy, satisfaction, and happiness should come from our relationship
with God. It is a reminder that our true happiness can be found in following
Him and embracing His will for our lives.
“The next phrase, “and He will give you the desires of
your heart,” emphasizes the relationship between our hearts and God’s will. God
is not only interested in our immediate wants but desires to establish a deep
connection with us. As our hearts change, so will our desires, demonstrating a
beautiful exchange where we begin to want what God wants for us. We experience
fulfillment not just in getting what we long for but in a deeper walk with God,
filling our hearts with His joy and purpose.”
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: “And
He shall give thee the desires of thine heart; such as are according to the
will of God, and for the good of His people; such as relate to communion with
Him, and to the communication of more grace from Him, and to the enjoyment of
eternal glory.”
These words gave me the opportunity to reconsider the
desires of my heart and what God is really communicating in this verse. It’s
not about me and my wants. It’s about Him and His purpose. When I read this
Scripture again, I will be more inclined to stop and consider what God really
wants.
And all this from a fiction book. God can reach you
anywhere. You just have to be open to His appearance wherever you are.
By His Grace . . .
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