A Life of Joy by Elle CardelSample

What Does It Mean to Delight in the Lord?

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” —Psalm 37:4

As we consider what it means to delight in the Lord, I want you to start by thinking of the things that bring you joy. Maybe it’s that first sip of coffee in the morning, hearing your child’s laughter, doing life with your small group, or discovering a newfound love for a cozy hobby. We all have things that offer joy to our hearts, but the Bible reveals our greatest delight is found in the Lord.

The word delight means to take great pleasure in something. In Scripture, delighting in the Lord is more than a feeling—it’s an act of worship. It’s a deep and genuine commitment to seek, love, and treasure God above all else.

Too often, we try to find joy in things that don’t last—success, relationships, the newest technology release, you name it. While these things aren’t inherently bad, they can never satisfy the way Jesus does. Only in Him will we experience the Contentment and Joy our souls long for.

Psalm 37:4 teaches that when we delight in God, He shapes our desires to reflect His Will. How do we do this? By making room in our hearts to spend time with Him, meditate on His Word, and align our hearts with His Truth—not occasionally, but daily.

Principles for the Heart:

God is the Source of Lasting Joy.

Too often, we chase after things that promise happiness but leave us empty. This is because happiness is contingent on our circumstances. Joy, however, is not. It is found in Christ alone.

The more we delight in God, the more our desires will align with His Ways.

When we begin to cherish and prioritize time with our Heavenly Father—when we spend time with Him, worship Him, and seek Him first—our hearts will change. Our desires will align with His Ways.

Delighting in God is an active pursuit.

We cannot delight in someone we do not spend time with. Just like relationships grow deeper with quality time, our joy in God grows as we invest in knowing Him.

Ponder This:

• When did I last feel Deep Joy in my relationship with God?
• What things do I often seek delight in that leave me feeling empty?
• How would my life look different if I truly delighted in the Lord above all else?
• What is one small step I can take today to shift my delight toward God?

Pray: Father, I want to delight in You above all else. Help me to recognize the areas where I seek Joy in temporary things and guide my heart back to You. Shape my desires to reflect Your Will, and fill me with a Deep and Lasting Joy that only comes from You. Teach me to treasure Your Presence daily. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.