“Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.”
—Psalm 37:4-5

What do the words “take delight in the Lord” mean? Do we often pause to think of the good that God has provided? When we give thanks, are we not “taking delight” in the goodness of God? We delight in all that God is, for as H. Emilie Cady said, “God is not only the giver, but the gift itself.”

Expressing our gratitude to God opens the way for our desires to be fulfilled, and prayerful contemplation of God's wondrous works prepares the way. As we commit our thoughts to praising divine ideas such as love, strength, life, and order, we increase our awareness of the abundant goodness that surrounds us and fills our lives.

In prayer, we make our innermost needs known to God. As we do, we can release our concerns to God and trust that the best answers are becoming evident. Each prayer we pray is like a seed of Truth planted in our consciousness; in the fullness of time, the seed grows and blossoms into the fulfillment of our God-given desires.

Do we need the wisdom and the patience necessary to await the fulfillment of God's promises to us? By trusting God to act, we attune ourselves to divine light. Divine light illumines and guides us to do whatever is required of us. Focusing our attention on God—taking delight in the divine presence of light within—helps us remain on the path that leads to the good we seek.

Do we have a heartfelt desire for harmony? By taking delight in God's love, we call into action divine ideas of order, balance, understanding, and peace. As we place our thoughts on divine love, we begin to see love in action in those around us and in our world. Instead of seeing disharmony or conflict, we behold divine love establishing peace, patience, and cooperation.

Is there a need for healing? Remembering that as God's children we are created to live healthy lives, we turn to the divine life energy which fills each of us and prayerfully, expectantly affirm vitality and wholeness. As we take delight in God's power to heal, we give thanks in advance for strength and health, knowing that God is the unfailing source of healing activity within us and all of those for whom we pray.

Do we have a need for greater supply? Rather than focusing on appearances of lack or limiting factors, we can take delight in knowing that God is the unlimited, ever-present source of our supply. By prayerfully praising God as the constant source of every needed good, the way to prosperous living unfolds. Expressing gratitude to God for blessings received increases our receptivity to further abundance.

Is freedom from some limiting habit a concern? By delighting in God, we become fearless and free from any habit or situation that seems to bind us. As we commit our thoughts and actions to God, we are able to live joyously and freely.

In any challenging situation, we have all the resources that we need to live happy, healthy, prosperous lives. We commit our hearts and minds to God as we “take delight in the Lord” and trust God for the highest and best results in all that concerns us.


More inspirational articles