Tuesday, 20^th June 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What have been your reflections on the prosperity of those who are froward?
2. What does it mean to delight oneself in the Lord?

Recent, I  had a conversation with a Christian friend on the increasing prevalence of online fraudsters and those who have gain popularity through denuding themselves. Surprisingly, these individuals flaunt their ill-gotten wealth by posting their properties online for all to see. They are celebrated for their wealth irrespective of how they make their money. Our conversation centered on how individuals who choose hard work over cutting corners are often branded unintelligent and sometimes lazy.

The flaunting of ill-gotten wealth is a big temptation to believers who are striving day-by-day through hard work to make life comfortable for themselves and family.

David offers solace and hope for the one who chooses to live a righteous life in Psalm 37. He carefully describes the eventual fall of those who engage in wrongdoing and unethical practices to acquire riches “…they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb (Psalm 37:2).” The end of the froward as precisely enumerated in the whole chapter should be enough disincentive for the righteous to join their wagon. David enjoins men and women who have shown integrity in their labors not to fret at the prosperity of those who have chosen to be froward but to “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”

Instead of joining the wagon of those who lack integrity in their work, David encourages us to counter their evil with goodness.

David goes ahead to recommend to those who trust in God - “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart – (Ps 37: 4).” While the froward delights in ill-gotten wealth the righteous is encouraged in much the same way to rejoice in the Lord. This brings us to this important question: “What is the chief end of man?” to wit the answer is “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

Delighting in God involves finding contentment and making the Lord our main stay and pleasure.

With the assurance that the Lord (who is the maker of heaven and all that is in them) is the portion of his people, the Christian who avoids cutting corners knows with absolute certainty that God will provide exactly what we require, both materially and spiritually. Charles Spurgeon provides some of the things of God we can delight ourselves in: “Every name, attribute, word, or deed of Jehovah, should be delightful to us, and in meditating thereon our soul should be as glad as is the epicure who feeds delicately with a profound relish for his dainties.”

Beloved in Christ, the world has become a tough place providing for one’s self and family.  Yet David, in difficult times, made an emphatic observation for our encouragement: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken    or his children begging for bread.” God sees, He knows and He will come through for all those who trust and delight in Him. Therefore, trust the Lord with all your heart and delight always in Him.

 

FURTHER READING – Psalm 37

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so  

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Which would you prefer- a life of peace in the will of God or wealth gained through froward means?

 

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, I receive grace to be content with all that you have provided for me and to trust in you only for all my needs. Dear Holy Spirit I receive your strength to resist any enticements to cut corners in Christ Jesus, Amen.

 

 1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Isaiah 44; Jude 1