Experiencing God's Presence #201

. . . and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 37:4

We are drawn to those who love us, and we enjoy doing things for them. In fact, we go out of our way to please those who express affection for us. So does God. He responds to our affection for Him with signs of His affection for us.

Those who delight in God—who turn their hearts toward Him and enjoy His Presence, regardless of the trials and contradictions in their lives—notice an unusual phenomenon. Their desires begin to be fulfilled. Part of the reason for that is that when we are saturated in love for God, His Spirit can shape our desires. He plants His desires within us. But another reason is that when our hearts are drawn to Him, He is drawn to us. He rises up to defend and provide for those who have enjoyed His intimacy.

This is why Jesus tells His disciples that if they remain united to Him and His words thrive in them, they can ask any request they want and He will do it for them (John 15:7). God doesn’t just impose His sovereign will on those who love Him. Our desires affect Him. He interacts with us at the level of our longings. He shapes who we are and then trusts us to desire worthwhile things. Then He supports those desires and fulfills them.

However this extravagant promise functions, the result is that our desires and His answers line up. We no longer live in futility and frustration with our longings remaining perpetually unfulfilled. Somehow our pleasure in God results in His pleasure in fulfilling the matters on our hearts.

Father, in spite of all my questions, and in spite of whatever contradictions my faith experiences, I delight in who You are. My relationship with You is my highest priority. Shape my heart, fill me with Your desires, and let me experience satisfaction and fulfillment.

From the book