SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. [Isaiah 26:8]
What Isaiah writes here is based on his confidence that God is going to step in and make things right.
He is determined to stay true to God; more than anything else he wants God’s Name to be honoured, God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done.
Though for a season it is really hard, and those who hope in God have to endure hardship – they will wait for God’s Name to be honoured, His kingdom to come and His will to be done.
This is what energizes and drives them, what they desire more than anything else.
My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. [Isaiah 26:9]

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. [John 14:12-14]
What did Jesus do? What did Jesus strive for and desire more than anything else?
For God’s Name to be honoured, God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done!
And those who follow Jesus will share this same passion, this same desire.
They will be driven to see the oppressed relieved, the sick healed, the captives released.
They will be passionate for justice and truth and mercy and truth – just like Jesus, just like Isaiah.
This will be their hearts desire too.
Walking in the ways of His laws, they will wait for Him; His Name and renown are the desire of their hearts!

That being the case, the Lord will give them the desire of their heart.
They will one day see what it is they desire; they will see His Name honoured, His kingdom come, His will done on earth as it is in heaven.
This is how we need to understand Jesus’ promise that we may ask for anything in His Name, and He will do it.
People turn this into “ask whatever you want” but forget the part of “in my Name” (for my renown or honour, for my Kingdom, for my will).
If our delight is in the Lord, then He will give us the desires of our heart [i.e. whatever we ask], because what we ask for will be His renown, His kingdom, His will.

What does my heart yearn for: a new car, a comfortable life, a good-paying job?
These are not things that God promises, nor are they things that we ought to seek or desire.
But if we seek first His honour, His kingdom, His will, then all the other things will come in time too.
What does your spirit long for?
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. [Psalms 37:4]

PRAYER:
Lord, Isaiah had to wait through a season of difficulty to see your promises fulfilled; may I be as eager and committed to Your honour, Your kingdom, Your will, as he was, as Jesus was! May this above all else be the desire of my heart.