I Don’t Want to Want What I Want

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Has this verse ever confused you? I used to think it meant that if I did enough to please God, He would give me all the things I thought would make me happy. Yes, I had the notion that God might be given to manipulation. If I did the right things, I thought I could get what I wanted.

I am so thankful God doesn’t think the way I do. And I am grateful for the godly people He has brought into my life who have helped me understand that verse more accurately. God is not given to manipulation. He doesn’t change. The truth is, I’ve learned I am the one who needs changing. And as I lean into Him more — as I seek to know God and become more like Him — He changes my heart so my desires are His. I pursue the things of God and He shapes that which my heart desires. That is — He gives me the desires of my heart.

This concept became clear to me recently when I was praying about some things I’ve desired. It occurred to me that my longings might not be in line with God’s. And in the middle of my prayer I found myself saying, “God, I don’t want to want what I want. I want to want what You want!”

Oh, to be so close to God’s heart that the things I desire are the same things He desires. Yes. That is what I want. What do you want today?

Karen Hossink