The Desires of Your Heart

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 37:1–11 NKJV

1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

MESSAGE

Don’t Fret (vv. 1-3)

Main Idea: Before God shapes your desires, He must first shape your heart.

Reject Envy (vv. 1-2)

Psalm 37:1–2 NKJV

1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

Rest in the Truth (v. 3a)

Psalm 37:3 NKJV

3 Trust in the Lord...

Respond with Obedience (v. 3b)

Psalm 37:3 NKJV

3 ...and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight Yourself in the Lord (v. 4)

Main Idea: God becomes the believer’s supreme joy and He reshapes their desires to match His will.

A Call to Delight (v. 4a)

Psalm 37:4 NKJV

4 Delight yourself...

The Center of Delight (v. 4b)

Psalm 37:4 NKJV

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord...

The Consequences of Delight (v. 4c)

Psalm 37:4 NKJV

4 ...And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit Your Way to the Lord (vv. 5-6)

Entrust Your Path (v. 5a)

Psalm 37:5 NKJV

5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Expect His Faithfulness (v. 5b)

Psalm 37:5 NKJV

5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Experience His Vindication (v. 6)

Psalm 37:6 NKJV

6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

Rest Patiently in the Lord (vv. 7-11)

Be Still Before Him (v. 7)

Psalm 37:7 NKJV

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Don’t Burn with Anger (v. 8)

Psalm 37:8 NKJV

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Believe in the Future God has Promised (vv. 9-11)

Psalm 37:9–11 NKJV

9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

CONCLUSION - What does delighting in the Lord produce?

Transforms our Desires (v. 4)

Stabilizes our Emotions (vv. 7-8)

Strengthens our Trust (vv. 3, 5)

Secures our Future (vv. 9-11)

CALL TO ACTION

STOP FRETTING - Release the Worry

START TRUSTING - Anchor Your Heart in God

START DELIGHTING - Cultivate Joy in His Presence

START COMMITING - Place Your Plans in His Hands

START RESTING - Wait Patiently for His Timing