A small story in 20 chapters
A cosy daily moment with Scripture, reflection, and a challenge to embed the word in your day.
Chapter 6
Finished ✦ on 22 January 2026
Scripture
Psalm 37:3-5 [CJB]
"3 settle in the land, and feed on faithfulness. 4 Then you will delight yourself in Adonai, and he will give you your heart’s desire. 5 Commit your way to Adonai; trust in him, and he will act."
Reflection
Often, when desire is talked about in Scripture or in circles today, it is in the context of needing to tame or remove it, especially when desire is tied to immoral, unrighteous, or greedy things. And it should be the case! Jesus preached so much about how following God isn’t just about avoiding the physical act, but about the posture of the heart itself. We do not have to commit the act of adultery to commit it in our hearts. However man was not created to be without desire altogether. We were created to desire God and to long for the fruits that come from walking with Him. In this Psalm, David isn’t saying that God will give us our temptations or worldly desires if we follow Him, but that when we truly delight ourselves in Adonai, our desires begin to change. We become overjoyed to receive the things that our hearts truly desire. What our hearts want most becomes peace, love, wisdom, and things that bring life, not just to ourselves, but to others in the Kingdom of God. So I want to remember to delight in and commit my way to Adonai each day, trusting that as I offer my desires to Him and walk in obedience, He is faithful to shape them far better than I ever could on my own.
Today’s quest
Take a few minutes today to write a short list of things your heart desires for the next year. Up to you how long you want the list to be. Then bring that list to God in prayer, asking Him to shape, refine, and align those desires with His will. (Try to keep the list so that you can reflect on it in a year's time!)
Your reflection
“Chatting about habits this evening, I’m reminded again on what is the motive (desire!) behind each habit and each change. I often wrestle with what should I be doing, wanting, aiming for. But I’m comforted by this verse, that instead of trying to figure that out I can simply want (desire) the Lord, do what it takes to demonstrate that desire (prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship) and aim to please Him and in that He will shape my desires and make my path clear! I’m also comforted that some of the things I already desire may very well come from God!! And that in leaning in to those things in a way that honours Him, I can experience a full, joyful, faithful and fruitful life!”