Day 44: The Desire of the Heart
Read: Psalm 21:1–7
You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
— Psalm 21:2 (ESV)
Reflect
Psalm 21 is a royal psalm, a song of thanks for the king. It begins with something we all want: "You have given him his heart's desire."
The word for desire is ta'avah. It is a strong word, and it can go either way. In the wilderness, the rabble among Israel "had a strong craving," the people joined in weeping for meat, and that kind of desire led them into grief (Numbers 11:4). Desire is not automatically good. It depends on what it is aimed at and where it was formed.
The second line adds "the request of his lips" — a rare phrase for what is actually spoken out loud. What the king wanted inside, he asked for outside, and God did not hold it back.
But notice why the king receives: "the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved" (v. 7). The answer rests on God's steadfast love, received by trust. Desires that come from trust are desires God delights to answer.
Scripture adds a related truth (Psalm 37:4; John 15:7): what you want is formed by whom you live near. Spend your days near worry, and your wants grow anxious. Spend them near the Lord, and your desires slowly begin to take his shape.
Across Scripture
Proverbs says, "the desire of the righteous will be granted" (Proverbs 10:24). "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). "He fulfills the desire of those who fear him" (Psalm 145:19). Jesus puts nearness first too: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7).
Sit With It
What have you been asking for lately that you would not ask for if you were sitting in his presence?
Pray
Shape my desires by your nearness.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.