This verse is one of my very favorites. Don’t we all love the idea of God giving us the desires of our hearts? I know I do! But what makes this verse so special to me is that it gives us something we can actively do—it tells us to delight in the Lord. That word is so rich. To delight in Him means to find our deepest joy, satisfaction, and security in who He is. And here is the good news: even when I don’t feel like I naturally delight in Him, I can pray and ask God to help me. He is faithful to stir up joy in our hearts when we ask.

When I shift my focus to delighting in Him, I notice a change inside me. My heart feels less weighed down by anxiety and more anchored in peace. That does not mean all my struggles vanish overnight, but it does mean that I stop grasping at things I cannot control. Peace comes when my joy is not rooted in changing circumstances but in the unchanging God who loves me.

But here is something I have learned: delighting in God requires devotion. He wants our whole hearts, not just pieces. He wants us to wake up in the morning, asking, “Lord, how do You want me to spend my time today? How do You want me to use my energy?” He wants our thoughts to return to Him throughout the day, whether we are working, resting, or talking with friends. Our hearts are prone to wander, and if we are not careful, it becomes easy to slip into blaming God for our struggles when, in reality, we have not been walking in obedience to His commands.

The truth is, we all devote ourselves to something. Maybe it is popularity, beauty, approval, a relationship, success in school or work, athletic achievement, or even selfish ambition. None of those things is bad on their own, but when they become the center of our lives, they quickly turn into idols. And then, when those idols fail us—as they always will—we come running to God, asking Him to clean up the mess. The beautiful thing is that God never abandons us. He patiently calls us back and invites us to lay those idols down so He can give us something better: Himself.

That is where repentance comes in. True repentance is not something we muster up—it is a gift from God. I remember after writing a poem of repentance, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. That moment did not solve every struggle, but it marked the beginning of freedom, the first swing of the spiritual jackhammer that started to break apart the idols in my life. Repentance literally means “to change your mind and turn the other way.” When we repent, we stop walking toward the idol and start walking toward God. That shift changes everything.

Repentance clears space in our hearts for delight. The very idols that once stole our joy are removed, and our hearts are freed to truly enjoy God for who He is. When we delight in Him, our desires are slowly reshaped to align with His. And in His kindness, He fulfills those desires—not always in the way we first pictured, but always in a way that is for our good and His glory.

So today, I encourage you to stop and ask: What am I delighting in? What am I serving, chasing, or fearing more than God? If the answer is not Him, then today is the day to repent and turn back. He is ready and waiting to meet you with grace, peace, and joy.

Reflection Question: Repentance is the first step toward spiritual freedom. Lord Jesus always receives a repentant heart. Are you ready to take a step of repentance today?

Shine: Embracing God’s Heart For You

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Watch this episode of the Family Vision Podcast as Amy and her husband Rob Rienow explore more of these essential issues: False vs. True Repentance