The Presence of God | Rightly Dividing: Hermeneutics Made Simple w/ Gladys Childs
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Episode 26 - Shownotes
Introduction:
Welcome to today’s episode we are joined by the wise and wonderful Dr. Gladys Childs. Today, we’re tackling a phrase many of us have heard—and maybe even believed:
“God just wants me to be happy.”
Using Psalm 37:4 as our anchor—
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
—we unpack the deeper, richer truth behind this verse.
Is God’s goal for us really just happiness? Or is there something far more transformative—something eternal—that He wants for us? Let’s explore together what it really means to delight in the Lord and how He lovingly reshapes our hearts for His glory.
The Problem:
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
"If I’m not happy, God must not be working."
"God promised to give me what I desire, so why hasn’t He delivered?"
"If I follow God, shouldn’t life be easier or feel better?"
These are very real struggles, but they stem from a misunderstanding of Scripture and of God's heart. Today, we lovingly confront this cultural myth and redirect our focus from happiness to wholeness.
The Word:
Here are some key scriptures from today’s conversation:
📖 Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This is not a transactional promise—but a transformational one. As we delight in Him, He reshapes our desires.
📖 Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Our emotions aren’t always trustworthy—God’s truth must lead the way.
📖 John 15:4-5
“Abide in me, and I in you... apart from me you can do nothing.”
True joy flows from abiding in Jesus, not chasing fleeting feelings.
The Gift:
When we shift from pursuing happiness to pursuing God, we receive:
🌿 Wholeness: A deep, soul-level peace and purpose that surpasses circumstance.
🧠 Clarity: A mind renewed and aligned with God’s will, not worldly emotion.
🌱 Growth: The kind that comes through trials, refining us into Christlikeness.
🙌 Enduring Joy: Not a feeling, but a fruit of abiding in Him.
The Choice:
We’re invited into a deeper relationship—not a spiritual vending machine.
Will you let go of expectations that God is here just to make life “easy”?
Will you embrace the beautiful, sometimes hard, work of transformation?
Will you choose to delight in the Lord—not just for what He gives, but for who He is?
Personal Reflection:
Take a few moments to journal or pray through these:
Have I treated God like a means to my own ends?
What desire am I clinging to that may not align with God’s heart for me?
In what areas of my life am I prioritizing happiness over holiness or wholeness?
How can I begin delighting in God more deeply today?
Let’s Close in Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for loving us enough not to leave us in our shallow desires. Thank You for shaping our hearts to reflect Yours. Help us to delight in You—not just when life feels good, but especially when it’s hard. Grow in us lasting joy, unshakable faith, and a heart that trusts Your process. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Takeaway from the Episode:
True joy isn't found in getting everything we want—it's found in becoming everything God created us to be. He loves us too much to leave us in our fleeting emotions. He is after our wholeness, not just our happiness.
So, delight in Him today. Not for the blessing—but for the beauty of being close to the One who transforms hearts and rewrites desires.
Go live, love, learn, and lead according to the call God has on your life.
Niccie Kliegl
Faith-Based Discipleship & Business Coach for Life & Ministry
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