Take Delight in the Lord - Psalm 37:1-4

Do not be agitated by evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender green plants. Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you your heart’s desires.  Psalm 37:1-4

As believers in God, we can use the scriptures to help us pray. I like to do this because it helps me know that I am praying in God’s will. It teaches me things that I can pray for that I never thought of before. I originally learned to do this from the book *Praying the Bible* by Donald S. S. Whitney, which I recommend highly. 

Let’s use this passage from Psalm 11 to guide our prayer. 

“Do not be agitated by evildoers.”

Lord, you tell us to not be stirred up by the wicked here. This is something we can only do with your help. Those who mean harm to your church seem to be growing in power these days. But we know that no matter what kind of power they seem to have is but a moment. Jesus, help us to not be agitated by these who hate you and your people. May we remember that you are sovereign and worship you all the more. 

“Do not envy those who do wrong.” 

Envy is a danger for your children. We can so easily forget that we already have the King of Glory. Why would we desire anything the world has and flaunts? Help us to not want the baubles, bangles, and beads of the enemy. You are our abiding possession Lord. And you satisfy us with your love. 

“Trust in the Lord and do what is good.” 

Trust. You tell us frequently within the pages of scripture to trust. To believe. To depend on you. Lord may this not just be words on our lips but may this trust be planted deep in our hearts. May we trust with our whole heart. And may we see the good works which you have set before us to do. Open our eyes to all that you want us to do. 

“Dwell in the land and live securely.” 

Lord, we know this is related to a special promise given to Israel that if they obeyed, and didn’t worship idols, they would be blessed. Yet we in the church today also have promises. Promises that you will be with us always. Promises that you will answer us when we call. Lord, even if evildoers take our possessions, may we joyfully worship you and not be agitated. May we live securely in your promises. 

“Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you your heart’s desires.” 

Oh Lord, what a promise. Teach us to delight in You. What a beautiful thought to delight in You! We know that you love to give good gifts to your children. And we know that you answer above and beyond what we can ask or even think. And answer us that way in this. We desire to delight in you. Teach us to do just that, to experience and understand exactly what you want for us. And then, as we delight in you, give us the desires of our heart Lord. May those desires too be formed by the Holy Spirit in us. What we think are good desires are often wishes that we may spend it on our pleasures. Therein lies rot. May our desires be holy and glorify you.

Lord, remove the rot in our lives and may we want you and your will today and always. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.