Desires of The Heart

I just want what I want when I want it.  Is that too much to ask?  Does this sound like anyone you know?  Does it sound like you?  Christians, by the way, are not immune to the kind of thinking promoted by Madison Avenue, which says "You deserve the best, why settle for less?"  "You only go around once in life, grab all the gusto you can."

In the Christian community, especially that part of the community that exists primarily on the airwaves, the manta in this connection is "name it and claim it."  The notion is that we can breathe life into something attaching it to the promises of God and have what our hearts desire.

The idea seems to be that God's plan is for us to be healthy, wealthy and wise.  Anything that falls short of that reality, falls short of God's plan.  This despite Jesus' warning that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt 19:24).  And Paul further warned, "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction" (1 Tim 6:9).

Do you really think that God is especially concerned with our being especially prosperous in this life?  Didn't Jesus say something counter to that like, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Mt 6:19-21)?

Does God really promise or even particular want us to have a richly prosperous life?  Does he really promise to provide all our wants?  Paul was very clear in saying, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19).  But does the Bible say that God will give us the desires of our hearts?  Actually it does.  But there is a it of a caveat to God's willingness to meet those desires.

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Ps 37:3-4).  God is delighted to fulfill our desires when we are delighted in what he desires in our lives.  Notice the first half of the parallel above, "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture" 9Ps 37:3)

When we are trusting in God to provide what is best instead of demanding what ouf feltt needs dictate, when we seek good so that we can share good, when we have the heart of God in what we seek, he is pleased to answer all requests.  

You can expect God to give you the desires of your heart if your desires reflect the glory of the king and further the good of the kingdom.  But if you requests are purely selfish, why would God want to give you that which is harmful and dulling of your spiritual senses?  Would you give your children anything they asked, even if you knew it was harmful to them?  But when you child asks for something that you know is a true benefit, if their requests reflects your desire for them, would you not move heaven and earth to provide it?

God is our Father.  He wants to provide riches to us, but only true riches.  Therefore, to have the desires of your heart, you need to tue your heart to His, understand His will and seek his outcomes.  Jus' Say'n.