Psalm 37:1-6

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Contemplation:

Let's face it.  Things don't always seem to work out the way they should.  Those who are insecure, selfish, and proud often seem to gain the upper hand in our world.  Those who are humble, kind, and unselfish are mistreated, overlooked, and taken advantage of.  It does not appear to be just.  

Verse 4 holds a key to reconciling this reality with a better one.  What is the highest goal in life?  Is it to be acknowledged by men or by God?  Take delight in the Lord.   If God is merely an acquaintance, it matters little to know his pleasure.  Our wealth, status, and the recognition of others must then become our consolation.  They don't last long and we are soon after another snack to feed our insecurities.  

But if we have an intimate relationship with God, our desire to to know His pleasure grows greater than our desire for the fruits of sinfulness.  The delight that comes from knowing God's pleasure is eternal.  It is not dependent upon our surroundings.  When we delight ourselves in the Lord, he grows within us an appetite for righteousness that He himself deeply satisfies.  Suddenly, trivial pursuits are no longer worthy of our palate.

Question:

What steps can I take today to trust God more and delight in Him?

Prayer:

God, too much of my time and energy has been wasted longing for things that do not last.  Help me to know you so well that the deepest longing of my heart becomes to know your pleasure.  May it mean more to me than all the lesser pursuits I once treasured.    May my desires be shaped by my encounters with you.