1. When God Delights To Give
Psalm 21:1-2 Lord, the king finds joy in your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your victory! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not denied the request of his lips.
Have you ever had that feeling when you’re standing in line at the coffee shop, checking your bank account on your phone, doing the mental math to see if you can afford that extra shot of espresso? That gnawing sense that there’s never quite enough—enough money, enough time, enough energy, enough joy?
We live like God operates a cosmic vending machine. Insert your prayer and hope something good drops down. But more often than not, we walk away thinking the machine ate our quarters.
But here’s what will mess with your head: God actually loves to bless His people. Not grudgingly. Not when He’s in a good mood. Not when we’ve earned it. He delights in it.
Look at King David in this psalm. God didn’t just meet his needs—He exceeded them. He gave him joy, strength, victory, and his heart’s desires. This wasn’t God throwing David a bone to keep him quiet; it was a Father lavishing good gifts on a child He adores.
Jesus said it like this: “If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him?” (Matthew 7:11).
Think about the last time you gave someone you love exactly what they wanted. Do you remember the moment when their face lit up? That surge of joy you felt in making them happy? That’s a shadow of how God feels about blessing you.
- Your joy isn’t an accident God tolerates
- Your strength isn’t something you have to manufacture
- Your victory isn’t dependent on your performance
God loves to bless His people because He loves His people. Period.
So why are you still living like a spiritual orphan, scrounging for scraps, when you’re a child of the King who delights to give? Why are you trying to earn what’s already been freely offered?
Stop treating God like a cosmic vending machine and start approaching Him like the generous Father He is. Come to Him. Ask Him. Receive from Him. Not because you deserve it, but because He delights to give it.
Prayer: Loving Father, I know there are times that I treat You like You are stingy toward me instead of generous. But I know that’s not how You are. Please help me today to receive joy, strength, and victory as gifts from Your generous hands. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 2: From Enemy To Child
Romans 5:10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
This is where the story gets beautiful and strange and wonderful all at once.
You were God’s enemy. Not because you murdered anyone or robbed banks—though maybe you did. You were God’s enemy because you wanted to be the king of your own life. You wanted to call the shots, make the rules, decide what’s right and wrong.
Every time you chose your way over God’s way, every time you trusted yourself more than Him, every time you lived like you didn’t need Him—you were rebelling against the rightful King. That’s what sin is. It’s cosmic treason.
And God promises to handle His enemies.
But here’s the plot twist that changes everything: God chose to handle His enemies by blessing them.
While you were shaking your fist at heaven, God was planning your rescue. While you were running from Him, He was running toward you. While you were His enemy, He was sending His Son to die in your place.
Jesus took the judgment you deserved. He absorbed the wrath meant for you. He paid the price for your rebellion so you could become a child instead of an enemy.
This isn’t about turning over a new leaf or trying harder to be good. This is about God doing for you what you could never do for yourself. This is grace—unearned, undeserved, unstoppable grace.
- You don’t have to clean up your act first
- You don’t have to prove you’re worthy
- You don’t have to earn your way into God’s family
You just have to come. Empty-handed. Broken. Ready to surrender. Ready to let the King be King.
If you’ve never trusted Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, you’re still God’s enemy. But you don’t have to stay that way. Today, right now, you can become His child.
And if you’re already His child, stop living like you’re still His enemy. Stop carrying guilt He’s already removed. Stop fighting battles alone He’s already won. Stop earning love that’s already been freely given.
Live like who you are: a once-enemy who became a beloved child through the shocking, scandalous, beautiful grace of God.
Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for sending Jesus to take my place, to absorb the judgment I deserve for my sin. Thank you that through Him, I am Your child. Help me to live as Your child today, depending on Your grace in every step I take. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 3: Rich Blessings for Empty Hands
Psalm 21:3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you place a crown of pure gold on his head.
God didn’t wait for David to earn the crown. He didn’t make him pass some kind of spiritual fitness test. He met David with rich blessings and placed pure gold on his head.
That word “meet” changes everything. It means God went out to encounter David. Like a father running to greet a child coming home. God didn’t wait for David to prove himself worthy. He ran toward him with gifts.
This drives our performance-oriented hearts absolutely crazy. We want to earn it. We deserve it. We want to look in the mirror and say, “Yeah, I’ve got this crown because I worked for it.”
But that’s like your mom or dad making you pay for dinner before she’d let you eat at their table.
They didn’t make you earn those meals. They didn’t charge you for the privilege. They delighted in blessing you because they loved you. And that love made them generous, not stingy.
That’s exactly how God feels about you. He doesn’t meet you with a bill to pay. He meets you with rich blessings. He doesn’t hand you a performance review. He places a crown of pure gold on your head.
Pure gold. Not bronze for beginners. Not silver for those making progress. Pure gold—the crown of a king, not the participation trophy of someone still figuring it out.
Here’s what this means for your everyday life:
- You don’t have to earn God’s approval—you already have it
- You don’t have to prove you deserve His love—He’s already decided to give it
- You don’t have to work your way up to His blessings—He’s already placed them on your head
Stop trying to earn what’s already been freely given. Stop acting like you have to prove you deserve the crown. Stop living like God is waiting for you to mess up so He can take it back.
The crown is yours. Not because you earned it, but because He chose to give it. Not because you’re worthy, but because He’s generous.
Wear it with humility. Wear it with gratitude. Wear it with joy. But for heaven’s sake, wear it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, because of Jesus, I am Your child. I know that means I am part of the Royal Family. I ask that You help me live as a blessed child today. Remind me that I did nothing to earn a spot in Your family or any of the blessings You’ve given me. And please help me to be grateful. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Day 4: When Defeat Isn’t An Option
Psalm 21:8-9 Your hand will capture all your enemies; your right hand will seize those who hate you. You will make them burn like a fiery furnace when you appear.
I have this guitar refurbishing project that has gone unfinished for over 6 years. Every time someone asks about it, my answer is the same: “I’ll handle it.” But saying you’ll handle something and actually handling it are two very different things.
I’m sure you’ve heard empty promises before, like people who talk a big game but never deliver or good intentions that never translate into action. And maybe that’s why it’s hard for you to believe God when He says He’ll handle your enemies.
But here’s the difference: when God says He’ll handle something, it’s not a future project; it’s a guaranteed outcome.
David uses the word “will” eight times in these verses. Not “might.” Not “maybe.” Not “when I get around to it.” God will. That’s absolute certainty; it’s a done deal.
Your enemies don’t stand a chance. And that includes more than just people who hate you because you follow Jesus. Your enemies are anything that wars against your soul:
- Anxiety that feels bigger than you can handle
- Sin that seems unbeatable
- Shame that whispers you’re worthless
- Fear that keeps you awake at 3 a.m.
- Depression that makes getting out of bed feel impossible
Here’s what David understood: your enemies become God’s enemies. When anxiety attacks you, it’s attacking someone God loves. When shame accuses you, it’s going after God’s child. When sin tries to enslave you, it’s messing with someone Jesus died to free.
Think about it this way: if some bully was picking on your kid at school, what would you do? You’d step in. You’d fight for them. Their battle becomes your battle because they’re yours.
That’s exactly how God feels about you. Your fight becomes His fight because you’re His.
God’s not procrastinating on your deliverance like an unfinished project in the garage. He’s not saying “I’ll handle it” while secretly having no intention of following through. When God promises to capture your enemies, it’s not wishful thinking—it’s guaranteed victory.
Stop fighting your battles alone. Stop believing you’re on your own. Stop giving up when the fight gets hard.
Your God has never lost a war, and He’s not about to start with yours.
Prayer: Almighty God, You have more power than I can ever imagine. I know that there is nothing that can beat You. Yet, I live sometimes like the victory isn’t sure. Please, God, remind me today that You always win. Help me to bring all my struggles, all my battles to You. I ask this in the name of Jesus, amen.
Day 5: Forever and Ever
Psalm 21:4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days forever and ever.
Forever and ever. You hear that phrase at weddings, right? “I promise to love you forever and ever.” It’s a sweet sentiment and noble intention, but let’s be honest—humans don’t have the best track record with “forever.”
Your phone contract says it’s “unlimited” until you hit the fine print. Your gym membership is “lifetime” until they change the terms. Your “lifetime warranty” lasts until the company goes out of business. Everything that promises forever comes with expiration dates hidden in the small print.
So when David says God gave him “length of days forever and ever,” your cynical side might wonder: Okay, what’s the catch? Where’s the fine print? When does this deal expire?
Here’s what will mess with your mind: there is no catch. There is no fine print. This deal never expires.
When God gives you life—real life, abundant life, eternal life—it doesn’t come with terms and conditions that change when you mess up. It doesn’t get revoked when you fail. It doesn’t expire when you disappoint Him.
Forever and ever means forever and ever. Not until you sin again. Not until you doubt again. Not until you mess up again. Forever. And ever.
Think about what that means for you:
- Your access to God doesn’t expire at midnight
- Your forgiveness doesn’t need daily renewal
- Your identity as His child doesn’t depend on your performance
- Your security in Him doesn’t fluctuate with your faithfulness
This isn’t about earning more life by living better. This isn’t about extending your spiritual warranty through good behavior. This is about receiving something that can’t be taken away, lost, or forfeited.
You live in a world where everything good seems temporary. Relationships end, jobs disappear, health fails, and dreams die. You’re used to good things having expiration dates.
But the life God gives you? The forever and ever kind? That’s the one thing in your life that actually lasts.
Stop living like your spiritual life has an expiration date. Stop acting like you have to keep earning what’s already been permanently given. Stop worrying that God’s going to change the terms of the deal.
Forever and ever isn’t just a wedding phrase. It’s a promise from the God who doesn’t break contracts.
Prayer: Eternal God, hearing about Your everlasting love for me is incredible! Thank You that You are faithful, forever and ever. I ask that You teach my heart this truth today as I face different struggles and situations. And, in response, enable me by Your Holy Spirit to worship You forever and ever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 6: Chasing Scraps
Psalm 21:3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you place a crown of pure gold on his head.
Do you remember your grandmother’s kitchen? Maybe she was like my grandma– she never let me leave hungry. She’d pile your plate high and then say, “Sugar, go get you some more. There’s plenty up there.”
That’s a picture of how God feels about blessing you. He’s not stingy. He’s not counting out portions like a cafeteria worker on a bad day. He’s piling blessings on your plate and saying, “There’s plenty more where that came from.”
But here you are, scrounging around under the table for crumbs when there’s a feast spread out above you.
You’re looking for joy in your next purchase when God offers lasting joy in His presence. You’re searching for strength in another cup of coffee when God provides strength that doesn’t crash at 3 p.m. You’re hunting for security in your bank account when God offers unshakeable stability in His faithful love.
Why do we do this? Why do we choose the vending machine when we have access to the banquet hall?
Maybe it’s because we don’t really believe God loves to bless His people. Maybe somewhere deep down, we think He’s like that cell phone company that hooks you with a good deal and then jacks up the price when you’re locked in. We’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the fine print to kick in, for God to show His true colors.
But God isn’t trying to trick you. He’s not going to bait and switch you. When Jesus said that earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, He was making a point: if you—being imperfect—know how to bless your kids, how much more does your perfect heavenly Father delight in blessing you? (Matthew 7:11).
The problem isn’t that God is holding out on you. The problem is that you’re holding out on God. You’re settling for substitutes when the real thing is right there for the taking.
- Stop looking for approval from people who don’t really know you when God—who knows everything about you—delights in you
- Stop trying to earn peace through performance when God offers rest as a gift
- Stop chasing temporary highs when you have access to eternal joy
Come to the table. Take your seat. You’re family here. And in this family, there’s always plenty more where that came from.
Prayer: Giving Father, I know that I settle for things that are lesser than Your blessings. Help me today to see Your real blessings available to me. Teach me to come to You first, not as a last resort. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 7: When God Doesn’t Fit Your Expectations
Matthew 7:9-11 Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.
You’ve been disappointed before, haven’t you? Maybe you prayed for healing and got more pain. Maybe you asked for provision and the bills kept piling up. Maybe you begged for restoration and the relationship ended anyway.
So when someone tells you that God loves to bless His people, part of you wants to roll your eyes. “Sure,” you think, “tell that to my bank account. Tell that to my marriage. Tell that to my health report.”
Here’s the problem: we think blessing means getting exactly what we want, when we want it, how we want it. We treat God like a cosmic vending machine—insert prayer, get specific outcome.
But Jesus tells this story about fathers and sons, bread and stones, fish and snakes. The point isn’t that good fathers give their kids everything they ask for. The point is that good fathers give their kids what’s actually good for them.
If your five-year-old asked for ice cream for breakfast every day, would you give it to them? If your teenager wanted to quit school and become a professional video gamer, would you support that? If your adult child wanted to marry someone who treated them terribly, would you throw them a party?
Of course not. Because you love them too much to give them things that would hurt them.
Sometimes what feels like God withholding blessing is actually God protecting you from harm. Sometimes what looks like a “no” is actually a “not yet.” Sometimes what seems like silence is actually God working behind the scenes in ways you can’t see.
- Maybe that job you didn’t get would have destroyed your family
- Maybe that relationship that ended was keeping you from something better
- Maybe that healing you’re waiting for is teaching you to depend on Him in ways you never would have otherwise
God’s not holding out on you. He’s not being stingy. He’s not giving you stones when you ask for bread. He’s giving you what you actually need, even when it doesn’t look like what you wanted.
Trust His heart even when you can’t see His hands. Believe He’s good even when life feels hard. Know that His blessings sometimes come disguised as disappointments.
Prayer: Gracious Father, I’ve asked You for a lot in my life. There have definitely been times where You haven’t given me everything that I’ve asked for. Thank You. I know that You give me exactly what I need when I need it. Help me to trust in Your hand and Your goodness today. Remind me that You are blessing me in ways that I don’t understand. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.