“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4, ESV.

When was the last time you experienced delight? I don’t mean a warm and fuzzy feeling, gratitude, or even reverence. Those are nice, but they are not delight. Perhaps it’s been a while and you need some reminding of what delight feels like.

Delight is . . .

. . . making snow angels at the age of seven.

. . . a kid on Christmas morning.

. . . looking into the face of a newborn baby.

. . . watching your child laugh and play.

. . . a rainbow over a waterfall.

. . . watching the Airforce Thunderbird show.

And delight is knowing the love of God. He is so great that his love brings us great pleasure. Psalm 37:4 tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord, and that when we do he will give us the desires of our heart. So, we first need to choose to delight in him. Delight starts with a choice to engage and allow ourselves to experience God. Spend time with him, look at his creation, feel his presence, listen to his voice, and learn to delight in him.

We know how to do this, as we have felt delight in moments like the ones described above. We sometimes forget in our prayer routines that he is not just the God we come to, he is a God we can and should delight in. And when we find that great and satisfying pleasure in God most high, he will honor our heart’s desires.

What is it about God that brings you delight? Write it down and allow your heart to smile at your God today.

Prayer: God, you are a delight. My soul longs for you and my heart needs you every day. Lord, thank you for giving me what I need and I ask you today for what my heart wants. I don’t ask out of selfishness or pride, I ask because I want to know and feel true delight in you alone and because your Word tells me you will give me those heart desires. Your Word is true and does not return void. God, I ask your forgiveness for the times I have been selfish or delighted myself in things other than you. Help me to keep my eyes and heart on you, and to use anything you give me to bring glory to your name. Amen