“What the wicked dread will overtake them;
what the righteous desire will be granted.” 
Proverbs 10:24

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

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As humans, we were designed for love and relationships. We only live and thrive when in proper relationship with others. It makes sense that getting close to the One who created us, delighting in Him, getting to know Him, and loving Him, produces a deep satisfaction and peaceful joy that can never truly be quenched by anything or anyone in this world.

When I consider today’s Scripture passage, I’m reminded that God is not my personal vending machine, or yours. Instead, as I look back on my life, I must say that as I have grown in loving Him, God has given me the desires of my heart—often not in the way I expected, wanted, or prayed for, but in a better way. Some of His gifts to me include His peace that passes all understanding, protecting me or someone I love from injury or harm, good friends, and various material blessings (I think God likes motorcycles). But it is only through a daily refining process and an ongoing intimate friendship with Him—like that of a family—that produces a steady, deep sense of satisfaction with my life so far. It’s not transactional, it’s relational. 

Like a guitar string that yields to a Master’s tuning through stretching and adjustment, I get in tune and stay in tune with the hidden harmonies that God has built into our world by trusting Him and yielding to Him every day in reverence, awe, respect—this is the fear of the Lord that produces wisdom. Even on my or a loved one’s darkest days, if the sun is not shining in this world, I sense it growing brighter in heaven.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.”  (Proverbs 9:10-11).

Next Steps

On Monday, we suggested you try reading a Proverbs chapter each day. Have you tried it? You’ll be amazed by the clarity and direction the book of Proverbs can provide, leading to contentment in your life.