George’s New Desire: How Psalm 37:4 Taught Him That True Joy Comes From Delighting in the Lord

Frank Wible
Oct 12
3 min read

George had built a good life. He ran a successful contracting business, owned a lakefront home, and could finally afford the things he once only dreamed about. But despite all he had, there was a restlessness he couldn’t explain. Every accomplishment brought a brief thrill that faded faster than the last. The more he gained, the emptier he felt.

George had everything he thought he wanted until he learned that peace isn’t found in possessions but in delighting in the Lord.

For years, George told himself that happiness was just one goal away. If he landed the next big client, if he upgraded his truck, if he finally took that dream trip, then he’d be satisfied. Yet no matter how much he achieved, the joy never stuck. Success felt like eating without ever feeling full.

One evening, after another long day at work, George sat on his back porch overlooking the water. His Bible sat unopened beside him, gathering dust. Out of habit, he flipped it open, and his eyes landed on Psalm 37:4. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

He read the verse several times, trying to understand what it really meant. For years, he had taken it as a promise that God would grant his wishes if he just believed hard enough. But that night, it hit him differently. Maybe it wasn’t about getting what he wanted. Maybe it was about changing what he wanted.

That realization sat with him for days. George began to see how much of his life was centered around himself—his plans, his business, his comfort. He rarely asked what God wanted. He prayed mostly for blessings, not direction.

So he made a quiet decision. Every morning, before checking his phone or thinking about work, he’d spend ten minutes reading the Bible and talking to God. At first, it felt awkward. The world didn’t stop spinning just because he was trying to pray. But over time, those ten minutes started shaping the rest of his day.

Every morning, George set aside time to meet with God, learning that joy grows when you delight in the Lord.

As the weeks went by, George began noticing small changes. He felt calmer. The pressure to prove himself started to fade. He started wanting different things, time with his family, moments of peace, opportunities to serve. His prayers shifted from “Lord, give me” to “Lord, guide me.”

One Sunday, while sitting in church, his pastor said something that felt like confirmation. “When you delight in the Lord, He changes the desires of your heart so that what you want aligns with what He wants for you.” George nodded quietly, knowing God had already started that work in him.

Not long after, he turned down a major business deal that would have meant huge profits but would have pulled him away from his family for months. A few years ago, he would have said yes without hesitation. This time, he chose peace over pride.

His friends noticed the difference. One of them asked, “You’ve changed, man. You don’t seem so stressed anymore. What happened?” George smiled and said, “I stopped chasing what I wanted and started wanting what God wants.”

That choice brought him more joy than any contract or paycheck ever had. He found that the more he delighted in God’s presence, the more fulfilled he felt. Life didn’t suddenly become perfect, but it finally felt right.

Now, when George looks at his life, he doesn’t measure success by what he owns but by how close he feels to God. Psalm 37:4 became his anchor. It taught him that when you truly delight in the Lord, you stop chasing happiness and start living in it.

What brings you closer to delighting in the Lord?