Delight yourself in the Lord

Posted on Nov. 26, 2025, 7:41 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

Delight according to The New Concise English Dictionary is to ‘please greatly’ or to ‘take great pleasure’ in something. It therefore means that when the Psalmist says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord” (Psalm.37:4a), he is saying one should be pleased greatly and take great pleasure in the Lord. To be pleased in the Lord is to live a life that pleases the Lord, and to take pleasure in the Lord is to find fulfilment and satisfaction in the Lord. The psalmist says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm.37:4) One may conclude that when one delight in the lord, then God will grant one’s heart desire. It sounds easy and simple, but not that simple considering the fact that God’s will and plan cannot be changed by anyone or any circumstances. The Bible says, “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Isaiah.14:27) It then means that God meeting one’s desire is more than what we may think it to be. It may please you to note that many a time believers quote Jesus’s teaching that says, “And whatever you asked in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John.14:13-14) to interpret the psalmist submission. Interpreting the passage to mean anything including one’s heart desire cannot be correct. Jesus was talking about His oneness with His father and the authority of the Father upon which He is doing the work. He explains further that those that believe in Him will do same work also using the same authority for the same purpose of glorifying the name of the Father. And whatever they asked to achieve that same purpose, He will do. It means praying or asking for the same things that Christ would desire to see accomplished is what He will do. For the Lord to give the desire of one’s heart, the desire must be in consonant with the will and plan of the Lord. The desire must be the one that honors and pleases Him. The one that is in obedient to God’s word and command. The desire which its outcome is to accomplish the desire of the Lord and glorify His name. It is not one own desire. Not the one that is for own pleasure. No wonder Apostle James says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasure.” (James.4:3) And for you to delight yourself in the Lord, you have to understand and know the Lord for who He is. Know him as the one who exercises love, kindness, judgement and righteousness. (Jer.9:24) You have to regularly think about Him, setting your mind on things above, shift focus from the worldly things and trust in Him only (Col.3:2) It includes telling others about the Lord and what He has done in your life regarding your salvation, so they can hear the good news and possibly believe. (Rom.10:14) Seeking the Lord constantly by meditating on the Lord’s precepts, delighting yourself in His statutes so as not to forget His word. (Psalm.119:10-16) The more you remember the word of God, the more you are able to obey, praise, worship and be in deep relationship with Him. At the level of deep relationship with God, you begin to operate in His will and His plan so much that God’s desire becomes your heart desire. And then, He will give you your heart desire. Shalom Evangelism The Gospel of Jesus Christ is ‘Good News’ because it offers salvation from sin and grant eternal life. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre