Psalm 21

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. ... He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. (vv 2, 4)

He wanted a good life; you gave it to him, and then made it a long life as a bonus. (v 4 The Message)

David here rejoices in the saving strength of his God, and in the knowledge that God has not only answered his every prayer, but has given him even more than he desired. As we read the above verses, let us consider why this might be the case. The scriptures tell us that David was a man after God's own heart as recorded in Acts 13:22:

...he (God) raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

David could testify that God has given him every desire of his heart because he only wanted God's will. David loved God with all his might, and always sought to please Him. He may have fallen prey to his human frailties on occasion, but whenever God brought him up on his sins, David was quick to repent, and never went back.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:4)

The key to having all our prayers answered is to love God with every fibre of our being, seek after, and pray for His will to be done. In pursuing God's glory and desires, we will be able to say the same as David - that He has given us every desire of our heart. Even when we go through trying times (of which David had many), we will testify to the Lord's goodness, because we know we are right in the centre of His will. As v 6 says:

For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. (NKJV)

The joy of spending time in God's presence and delighting in His will is an eternal blessing only few enjoy, but also the key to consistent answered prayer.

Lord, may we learn to enjoy the blessings that come from remaining in Your presence, as our desires meld into Yours. May all our prayers, uttered from lips that honour You, find their answers in You.

Psalm 21 Full Reading (NKJV)

The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.