Calling out Inaccurate “Theological” Expressions 3
I’m back to this series, and today, I’m writing a short one on one of Christendom’s most misunderstood verses. This isn’t always song or prayer material, but it’s a false gospel that is misleading many people and strongly supports the prosperity gospel.
I’m going to quote the verse below. Then, I will state what it isn't saying and then what it is saying.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart — Psalm 37:4
What the Bible is NOT saying.
Delighting in the lord is not maintaining a good bible and church attendance streak. It is not ticking the boxes of piety and service. It is not giving tithes, offerings, or sowing seeds (one day we go talk that one). It is not any action we undertake out of our own will for ulterior motives.
It was important to clarify what delighting yourself in the lord means to understand part B. The Bible is not saying that when we tick the boxes, God will do what we want. It is not suggesting that we can get anything out of God. And this is what we’re missing.
This is not to say all the aforementioned disciplines and acts of worship are baseless. This is about the motive. Is your motive pure love for God or is God your genie in the bottle who you need to rub softly?
Our God doesn't operate a scratch my back, I scratch your back relationship with us.
What the Bible is Saying
What does Delight yourself in the Lord mean? To delight yourself in the lord means to become obsessed with the Lord and seek to have a deep relationship with him. To dive deeper and deeper into him. To surrender your will to and live wholly for him. That is what it means to delight in the Lord.
And when you delight in the lord that way, he will give you the desires of your heart. He will dictate, guide and direct what your heart desires. You will begin to crave what he wants.
The holy spirit will be the voice inside you dictating your hopes, dreams and aspirations.
And the desires God put in you he will surely bring to pass.
This is the end of today’s “exposition”. Choose to delight in the lord for his name and his glory. Not for your glory and your good. Soli Deo Gloria is our motto.
Selah!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nUTO4m9oA&pp=ygUVaGlzIGdsb3J5IGFuZCBteSBnb29k
