UNTIL THE 21ST
MIKE CUNNINGHAM

Bruce Waltke, professor emeritus of New Testament studies at Regent College, reminds us that in seeking to know what pleases God, we should actually listen to our desires. One way I know God’s will is by the desires of my heart. When God is in control of your life, He is also in control of your desires. The things you long for in your heart are put there by the Holy Spirit. How else could King David say: “Will God not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?” (2 Samuel 23:5).”

“Desires and affections are part and parcel of being human. The Spirit works in our feelings and desires:

Matthew 20:32-34: Moved with compassion, Jesus healed the two blind men.

Luke 22:59-62: Peter wept bitterly after denying Jesus three times.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: God comforts us in our pain; later we comfort others with the same comfort.

Key “fruit” that the Spirit yields in our lives(Galatians 5:22-23 involves significant emotional aspects such as love (Romans 12:9-10), joy (Acts 13-52), and peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Furthermore, God actually desires to fulfill our desires, as King David teaches.

Trust in the lord and do good:
Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord:
Trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him:
Do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
When they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
Do not fret-it leads only to evil.
(Psalm 37:3-8, emphasis added).

Excerpted from “in search of a confident FAITH” OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO TRUSTING IN GOD, by J. P. Moreland And Klaus Issler, pg. 67-68.

Lord willing, I’ll return to this pulpit next week.