[God] satisfies your desires with good things … — Psalm 103:5
How do you find the grace of God?
Let me suggest a place to start: with your desires.
Desires are wonderful things because they create opportunities for God. Some people think that God is only interested in meeting our needs and doesn’t care one bit about our desires. This is not true. God delights in satisfying our desires with good things.
I am not saying that God delights in coddling us, in indulging us without regard for our character, in spoiling us. I am saying that God delights in satisfying our desires with good things.
Suppose you desire a million dollars. Here we have a place for a dialogue with God to begin. It might go something like this:
Christian: God, I want a million dollars.
God: Okay, why do you want a million dollars.
Christian: (beginning to get honest) Because I want a fancy house and a fancy car.
God: Why do you want a fancy house and a fancy car?
Christian: (a little more honest) So everybody will respect me.
God: Why do you need everybody’s respect?
Christian: Because it hurts so much when people disrespect me.
God: Where is that coming from?
Christian: I’ve always felt disrespected, ever since I was little.
God: What happened when you were little?
Christian: My dad told me I would never amount to anything.
God: How does that make you feel?
Christian: It really hurts.
God: Would you like to know the truth?
Christian: Sure.
God: The truth is you do amount to something to Me.
Christian: Wow, I feel so much better.
God: So, do you still need a million dollars?
Christian: What are you talking about? Why would I need a million dollars?
Okay, I’m short cutting through what might be a two-hour or a six-month or a twenty-year process, but maybe you catch on to what I’m saying. We think we want something, but God knows what we really want, deep down inside. He knows how to get at what we really want, need and desire. And He will satisfy those desires with good.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.