What do we desire, or what should we desire? Where should our desire be?
What do we desire? A new house, a new car, more money… These treasures do not last and cannot provide everlasting happiness. We need to store up treasure in heaven.
"Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
(Matthew 6:19-21 NLT unless otherwise noted) *We should keep in mind that our life here on earth is temporary.
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.
(Psalm 103:15)We can easily become wrapped up in our own desires. Unfortunately it takes many of us most of our lifetime before we realize:
"All is meaningless," says the Teacher, "utterly meaningless."
(Ecclesiastes 12:8)The sooner we can understand this in regard to our own ambitions, the better.
What should we desire? It will be most helpful to keep in mind that YHVH (the LORD) is our Creator, and we are His creation. As such, we must live according to the bounds established by our Heavenly Father. The sooner we learn not to "kick against the goads" and obey our Creator, the happier we will be.
"Destruction is certain for those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot ever argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you are doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be!’ How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father and mother, ‘Why was I born? Why did you make me this way?’"
(Isaiah 45:9-10)Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to my name." The people will declare, "The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength." And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.
(Isaiah 45:22-24)Where should our desire be?
In the following verses we can find our Creator’s desire for us.
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."
(1 Corinthians 2:9)"If you love me, obey my commandments."
(John 14:15)"Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Yeshua replied, "‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
(Matthew 22:36-40)Many desire to be on top in this world. But they go about it wrong. Yeshua teaches us how to be a true leader.
But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.
(Mark 10:43-44)YHVH does not force us to obey Him. We are given a choice.
"Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. You will receive a curse if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn from his way by worshiping foreign gods.
(Deuteronomy 11:26)It is hard to obey, especially when we cannot see beyond our immediate troubles to the potential eternal blessings.
So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live.
(Romans 8:12-13)Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.
(Romans 8:18)Let us consider our duty. Our Creator delights in us obeying Him, and this will lead to the desires of our heart.
Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.
(1 Samuel 15:22)Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
(Psalm 37:4)Conclusion:
Our primary desire should not be focused on the physical, but on the spiritual. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NAS)
*To have treasure in heaven, we are to abandon our earthly treasures and follow Yeshua. (Luke 18:22)