Topic: God-Given Desires [Joyce Meyer Devotional 27 April 2020]
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Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.— Psalm 37:4 (AMPC)
One of the ways God speaks to us is through the sanctified desires of our hearts. God places right desires in our hearts and then He gives us those desires. I remember a time when I really desired some homemade zucchini bread, but had no ability or time to make it. I simply said, “Lord, I sure would like some fresh zucchini bread,” and didn’t think about it again. About a week later, a lady (who had no idea I’d been wanting zucchini bread) handed me a box and when I opened it, I found homemade zucchini bread! God delights in doing both small and large things for us and we should never fail to appreciate them.
We need to ask God to give us sanctified, or holy, desires. We usually have desires for natural things like success, finances, nice homes, and good relationships, but we should also desire spiritual things. We should desire to know God in a deeper and more intimate way, to always display the fruit of the Spirit (especially love), and to live our lives in a way that pleases Him.
Wrong desires torment us and make us impatient about receiving them, but sanctified desires come with a willingness to wait on God’s ways and timing. When we ask Him to take away fleshly desires and replace them with right ones, God gives us new desires that agree with His Word and bring His righteousness, peace, and joy to our lives (see Romans 14:17; Psalm 103:5).
Prayer Starter: Lord, please help me trust You with my desires, and replace any desires in my heart that are not from You with Your desires for my life. Thank You for wanting to bless me and meet my needs in new ways. In Jesus’ Name, amen.