The Dream That Didn't Happen — And the One That Did
Psalm 37:4 and the Long Road to Joy
I had this ambitious dream as a kid: I wanted to be a professional NBA player.
If you saw a photo of me at 16, you’d probably laugh — and you’d join in with those early 2000s commercials that warned us all:
"90% of you will go pro in something other than sports."
I hated that message. And I’m glad I didn’t listen to it.
Because the dream—even if it never came true—still did something powerful in me. It taught me many attributes I didn't have, like discipline, teamwork, and communication. Also, I played basketball eight hours a day instead of doing stupid things with my friends. It kept me off the streets and on the court. It gave me focus.
But here’s the critical missing piece:
I didn’t include God in that dream.
Delight in the Lord? It’s Not a Magic Trick
Psalm 37 is one of the great wisdom psalms of David. He wrote it as an older man reflecting on the difference between the wicked and the righteous. You can hear the wisdom of years in his voice — and the settled peace of someone who’s learned to trust God’s timing.
And in the middle of it, David says:
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
I’ve had this verse quoted to me more times than I can count, especially when I was searching for purpose, chasing dreams, or feeling lost.
But here’s the problem: most people quote it out of context.
They omit what it means to desire God and exclude verse 5:
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
What This Meant Back Then
In David’s time, “delight yourself in the Lord” meant something weighty:
“Take joy in Yahweh — in His ways, His presence, His promises. As you do, your heart will be shaped by His desires. And in His perfect timing, He will bring those desires to fulfillment.”
It wasn’t a formula. It wasn’t about getting your dream house or job or spouse. It was a blueprint for a God-centered life in a world gone sideways.
Back then, obedience was often rewarded with land, protection, peace from enemies — external signs of covenant blessing. But it was never just about getting stuff. It was always about being with God and showing the world God.
What This Means for Us Now: Jesus Is the Delight
In the New Testament, things shift.
We don’t delight in performance anymore.
We delight in a Person, and His name is Jesus.
Back then, delighting in God meant:
Trusting the law
Worshiping at the temple
Bringing sacrifices
Now?
He is the living Word.
He is the true temple.
He is the perfect sacrifice.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” – Philippians 3:8
To delight in God today is to treasure Christ above all else.
What Happens When You Delight in Him?
Your desires change.
As you walk with the Spirit, spend time in the Word, and build a relationship with Jesus, the loud demands of the world begin to fade. You start to crave something more profound — something eternal.
The more you know Him, the more your old desires lose power.
The more you walk by His Spirit, the more your heart starts to burn for what He wants.
Let me be honest:
I don’t want to be an NBA star anymore. That desire died somewhere between homework, getting a job, and spending a lot of time with God.
I am still tempted to prove the commercial wrong, but that’s just pride. Working on that. 😂
Instead, my desires now look more like this:
Kingdom impact
Christlike character
Restoration in my family
Power to endure suffering
Intimacy with God
Boldness to speak truth in love
A crown that doesn’t rust
You could give me every worldly thing right now — fame, money, followers — and it still wouldn’t compare to what happens when you build a relationship with Jesus daily.
Don’t Treat This Verse Like a Shortcut
Psalm 37:4 is not a spiritual genie.
It’s not: “If I smile in my quiet time, God gives me what I want.”
That’s backwards.
Delighting in the Lord means He becomes your desire.
And when He becomes your desire, everything else either:
Falls into place, or
Fades in importance.
It’s like those WWJD bracelets. You don’t become like Jesus overnight. It’s a process. It’s not a trick. It’s a surrender.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
Your Never Finished Challenge: Delight in Him Daily
Here’s how you can start living Psalm 37:4 out — today:
1. Start your day with awe, not a checklist.
Worship before work. Wonder before worry.
2. Saturate your mind with His Word.
Not to impress. Not to earn. But to feed your soul.
3. Talk to God like a Father and Friend.
Real prayers. Real love. Real moments.
4. Obey Him — even when it’s hard.
Every act of obedience fuels joy, and the opposite is true: every act of sin leads to sadness.
5. Thank Him for what you already have.
Gratitude clears the fog and opens your heart to better desires.
What does today say about God?
It’s Not a Transaction — It’s an Invitation
Psalm 37:4 is God saying:
“Let Me be your joy. Your treasure. Your first love. And I will place new desires in your heart — and fulfill them in ways that exceed your imagination.”
The world says: Chase your dreams.
God says: Chase Me — and I’ll give you better ones.
I can testify with spending the past decade plus with Him has been the greatest experience I could have never imagined.
What a Father.
What a King.
What a Friend.
Thank you, Jesus!
Chase your dreams. God says: Chase Me — and I’ll give you better ones. I love that.