February 19
Delighting
in the Lord
“Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants.”
Psalm 37:4 (NIrV)
Russell had always prided himself on being self-reliant. Growing up in a Christian household, he had watched his parents pray daily and attend church faithfully. But somewhere along the way, Russell decided that he didn’t need God. Life was about hard work, grit, and determination, and Russell believed he could handle it all on his own.
But as years passed, life didn’t go the way Russell had planned. His job at a tech startup was demanding but stagnant, his friendships felt shallow, and his nights were restless with worry. Every morning, he dragged himself out of bed, feeling like he was running a race with no finish line.
One night, after yet another grueling day, Russell sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the ceiling. He felt completely drained. His mother’s words from his childhood echoed in his mind: “When life feels heavy, take it to God.”
“No,” Russell muttered, shaking his head. “What good would it do? I’ve come this far without Him.”
The next morning, Russell’s exhaustion caught up with him. He snapped at a coworker during a meeting and received a call from his landlord about a missed rent payment. Frustrated and overwhelmed, he left work early and found himself at the park near his apartment.
As Russell sat on a bench, a soft breeze rustled the leaves around him. He pulled out his phone, intending to scroll mindlessly, but instead, he opened an old Bible app he hadn’t touched in years. The verse of the day caught his eye: “Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants” (Psalm 37:4).
For a moment, Russell just stared at the words. “Everything your heart really wants.” He realized that despite his striving, he didn’t even know what his heart truly desired. He thought about his parents’ peace and joy, even in hard times, and for the first time in years, he felt a tug to pray.
Hesitant and unsure, Russell whispered, “God, I don’t know how to do this. But if You’re still there, help me. I can’t keep living like this.”
In the days that followed, Russell began to pray regularly, starting with just a few words at a time. Slowly, his heart softened. He noticed a peace he couldn’t explain and began to feel hope for the first time in years. Instead of striving for success alone, he started asking God to guide him.
As Russell placed his trust in God, he found his desires changing. The things he thought he wanted no longer held the same appeal. Instead, he longed for deeper connections, purpose, and a life rooted in faith.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for always being there, even when we try to handle life on our own.
Like Russell, we often get caught up in our struggles and forget to turn to You.
Help us to delight in You and trust that You know what our hearts truly need.
Teach us to let go of our pride and lean on Your strength.
Fill us with peace and guide us toward a life that reflects Your love and purpose.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
