“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4.
What do you desire? Many people will answer that question saying they desire something more out of life, such as more money. Worldly things aren’t necessarily bad to desire, but Jesus said. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
As Christians, we need to take a good look at what we desire and what we treasure. Keep in mind, you’ll never have enough money. When I was in the working world, we had a saying that the outgo will always grow to fit the income. That was true then, and it’s true now. I can tell you that trying to find ways to stretch a dollar is very challenging, but God always provides.
Many Christians look at prayer as a magic way to get what you want. Name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, tell God what He can do for you in order to make you happy. That seems to be the way some Christians look at prayer. Prayer is an important part of a Christian’s life, but it’s not an order to a catalog store listing what you desire today.
Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).
Most of us know this prayer by heart and can repeat it without thinking. It might be a good idea to take a closer look.
First, God is honored. There’s peace that comes from worshipping God. Then, we are to desire that His kingdom come and His will be done just like it is done in heaven. If our desire is for God’s will to be done, we will humble ourselves before Him and desire what He desires. The only personal request is for our daily needs to be met, such as food. No worldly desires for fame and fortune, but for daily bread. Then, we are to acknowledge that not only do we need to be forgiven, but that we are also to forgive others. Finally, praise God. If we would truly pray this way and mean it, the desires of our heart just might change. We will begin to desire what God desires.
Later, Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
What things? Food, water, clothing. If we desire simple things, our desire will draw closer to God’s desire for us. If we step away from the rat race, the desires of our heart will change.
If God allows you to have lots of money, draw close to Him to see how He desires for you to use that blessing. We have many examples of how some people are irresponsible with their fortunes instead of using it for the Lord’s work. Instead of desiring what pleases God, money can easily become your god.
I have a friend who has been blessed and is so willing to use her finances to serve the Lord. I admire her. When we desire what God desires, we are blessed. When we come to know Christ, we need to turn from the sin that has plagued mankind since Adam chose to sin. Jesus gave His life for our salvation, and we owe Him everything. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation; it’s a free gift from God. The only way we can show gratitude is to seek His will and humbly submit to it.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Let your desires be His desires.
As we go through life, our desires change. Peter is an example of changing desires. He was a fisherman, and his desire was to catch more fish. The more fish he caught and sold, the more money he would have. He had a wife, and Scripture is silent as to any children he may have had, but every Jewish man wanted sons and daughters. Then Peter met Jesus. Or, maybe it was that Jesus found Peter.
“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him“ (Matthew 4:18-20).
I’m sure there are many Hollywood ideas of all that transpired, but the fact is Peter’s life was changed. He no longer desired to catch more fish, but he was going to be a “fisher of men.” Jesus had a lot of teaching to do with Peter, but Peter followed and was changed. If he had decided to remain a fisherman, he would have had a good job, and people would have food to satisfy them for a short time. Because Peter chose to follow Jesus, he was able to share the Bread of Life, which satisfies for eternity. Because Peter realized the desire of his heart was more than fishing, he has left a lasting influence on the world.
Paul was another man who was changed by Jesus. Paul desired to be the greatest Pharisee who ever lived. He just might have accomplished his goal if Jesus hadn’t changed Paul’s desire. Paul thought he was serving God by hunting down anybody who turned from the Jewish faith to follow the Good News of Jesus. Paul (then called Saul) was on his way to Damascus to arrest those who had fled to escape his persecution, and he went after them with a deadly purpose.
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” (Acts 9:3-4).
This happened many years after Jesus’ resurrection, so it’s no wonder Saul was confused. His life and desires changed dramatically. Instead of tyrannical power, he only wanted to serve Jesus and share love and forgiveness with everybody. It was Paul who knew about spiritual gifts and encouraged us to desire them. He especially encouraged us to desire to prophesy.
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2).
We need to desire what God desires for us. Paul became a man who truly served God. His missionary journeys should be the standard of missionaries today. He gave everything to serve Jesus. Yet, was he given the desire of his heart? He desired that God remove a “thorn in his flesh.” Whatever that was, we aren’t told, but it was a true problem for Paul.
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
God knows so much more than we know, and somehow, this “thorn in the flesh” was necessary. Instead of pouting because God didn’t jump through hoops for him, Paul humbly submitted to God.
Solomon was very wise. Sometimes, he wasn’t very smart, but his errors in life taught him some hard lessons. He often desired worldly things in life and found out that there was no happiness in having lots of wives and lots of money. These worldly desires led to pagan worship. He learned that there is a greater treasure than anything this world has to offer.
“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21;20-21).
It’s too bad Solomon didn’t learn this truth at a young age and follow his own advice.
Most of us are guilty of desiring the wrong treasure, but Jesus spoke about how valuable the desire for the kingdom of heaven is. “Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matthew 13:44).
Do you desire the kingdom of heaven enough to give up your worldly desires and desire the things of God? This doesn’t mean we cannot have food, shelter, and clothing. It’s not a bad thing to have money in the bank. The question you need to answer is, what do you do with your wealth? Do you use what you have to spread the Gospel, or do you hoard your wealth? What about your physical desires? A Christian should submit to Christ.
As Paul said, “…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1b).
When you desire what God desires, you’ll find it easier to let go of the desires of your flesh and live for Christ.
The way to know what God desires for you is to get to know Him. The more you know His will, the more you’ll desire His will for life. Temptation will always tug at your flesh, but if you are tempted to sin, that isn’t a desire of God.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:13-14).
The word “lust” is translated from the Greek word “alexithymia,” which means “desire for what is forbidden.” When temptation comes your way, if the thing you desire isn’t godly, then your desire is at odds with God’s desire for you. He won’t give you the desire of your heart if your heart desires to sin. God doesn’t want anybody to sin. He desires the best things for you.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). The gifts from God are perfect.
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3). Desire what God desires, and He will give you the desire of your heart. Then, use the desire of your heart to serve Him.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
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All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).