May He grant you your heart’s desire
And fulfill all your counsel!
Psalms 20:4 NAS

This mornings meditations and Bible research. This verse is very intriguing to me. Because many translations say “may he give you all your desires and make your plans succeed”

Except in the original Hebrew it says something A little bit different .
“Grant you according to your own heart all your counsel .” The word for “according to your own heart” as well as “your counsel” is only written and used one time each in The Bible .

There is something about the other translations that didn’t sit well with me. Even though throughout the Bible it says God will give you the desires of your heart, People tend to see that as God giving you whatever you want. But we also know that Jesus said if you pray “according to my will” it will be done.
If Jesus gave us everything we asked for –
We would be a mess.

When we walk with God and rely on His counsel, we will understand His will which will be confirmed by his peace.  ~Rachelle Layzell

“But the wisdom that is from above is pure, filled with peace, meek and attentive, filled with love and good fruit, without division and does not show partiality“. James 3:17

A commentator by the name of Gill said about Psalms 20:4, “whatever was agreed upon in the council and covenant of peace between him and his Father, relating to his own glory, and the salvation of his people.”

When we are in covenant with God and make our decisions according to his counsel – that is an agreement of his will. I believe it is THAT WILL Jesus was talking about.

Jesus said in John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly [in the Greek perissos]

perissós (an adjective, derived from 4012 /perí, “all-around, excess”) – properly all-around, “more than” (“abundantly”); beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation; “more abundant,” going past the expected limit (“more than enough . . . “)

I believe there is a direct correlation between walking in council with God and living abundantly. When we align ourselves with God’s will while being in pure relationship with him we will be directed down the right path. The result of obedience while listening to his voice is FAVOR as He is then able to pour abundantly into our lives.  ~ Rachelle Layzell

It is like the parable of the Good Stewart who did not just waste his talents but invested them. When the master came back he then set him over larger realms of responsibility.

I love that parable because it shows how we partner with God and use the things that He has given us along with his wisdom to expand our influence and blessings . This journey with God is a partnership as well as a relationship. If we walk through life only enjoying the relationship and ignore the partnership a, we are missing out on heaven’s immeasurable resources.  ~ Rachelle Layzell

Jesus said in Matthew 15:15
1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.9 I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.

14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit andkeep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.

That is one incredible promise! Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends because he has revealed to us the father’s will.
IT IS TIME TO LIVE ABUNDANT LIFE AS WE WALK WITH GOD, LISTEN AND OBEY AND RECEIVE ALL HE HAS FOR US!

There is nothing like digging into the Word of God! Life to my bones  😀