Have you ever asked, “God, what do you want from me?” I have. And then I delved into Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman He met at a well and realized I had been asking the wrong question altogether. Pull up a seat and let’s listen in.
This woman had been cast aside by five different husbands and was now living with a man who was not her husband. I suspect her expectations—for marriage and life—were very low. And yet, in the heart of the day, Jesus sat beside a well and waited for His God-given assignment to arrive.
When the woman came alone to draw water, Jesus asked her, “Will you give me a drink?” Oh friend, Jesus did not need for that woman to give Him a drink. He had a purpose and a plan to give her one.
What followed is the longest recorded conversation Jesus had with any one person in the Gospels—and it was with a woman, in a culture where men didn’t speak to women in public. She was stunned.
Then came the turning point when Jesus made a statement that made her thirsty for more.
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water,” (John 4:10). Jesus salted her thirst with these words and then went on to pour living water on her dehydrated heart with the news: He was the Messiah who had come to give her what she had been searching for her entire life—unfailing love.
I shout with my Samaritan friend, “Give me that water!” I hope you do too.
This encounter was never about what Jesus wanted from her—water from Jacob’s well.
It was all about what God wanted for her—a living stream to flow through her weary soul.
Jesus lifted a woman beaten down by life and raised her expectations to what the glory life could really be.
The gospel is not a self-improvement plan. It is not a formula to get what you want when you want it. It is not a spiritual savings bond to cash in someday. The gospel is a story of God pursuing humanity to restore intimate relationship with Himself.
Psalm 37:4 tells us: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Too often, we’ve emphasized the wrong part of that verse—turning I into a name-it-and-claim-it promise rather than a call to intimacy. Always intimacy.
Let’s read it again, with the emphasis where it belongs: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
When you delight in God, your desires begin to align with His. His longings shape your prayers. What matters most to Him begins to matter most to you. And what matters most to God has always been this—relationship. Always intimacy.
The Hebrew word for delight, hapes, means to take pleasure in, to love, to set one’s heart upon. It is synonymous with the verb “to love” and “to be pleased.” It carries the idea of seeking what brings joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction.
An English idiom that expresses this meaning of hapes is “to have one’s heart set on someone or something.”
God longs for you to in Him—just as His delight is in you. Ephesians 1:4 reminds us: “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love,” (MSG).
So, what does God want for you?
He want you to throw yourself into the river of His love.
To surrender to the current of His perfect will.
Whether careening on quiet streams or battling through violent rapids, you will trust that He is right there with you. Protecting. Guiding. Sustaining.
No matter where the river leads, His presence fills every moment of the journey.
That’s what God wants for you today.
Father, too many times I ask what You want from me, rather than what You want for me. Today, I rest and revel in the truth that You want me to be in a close relationship with You that permeates every moment of every day. No matter what today holds, I know that I am never alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one thing that you know that God wants for you today? Leave a comment and let’s share.
Digging Deeper
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Comments 53
I REALLY WANT A VERY CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD!!!! PLEASE PRAY WITH ME THAT I CAN AND WILL HAVE A VERY CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD!!!!! THAT IS MY HEART FEEL DESIRE!!!! AND I WANT TO LIVE FOR HIM!!!
I want to congratulate you on your desire to be CLOSE to the Lord. Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8. How do you achieve that desire? You have started doing just that by praying and writing down your prayer. Also, reading His Word that says, “The word of God is Alive and Active” (Hebrews 4:12). God is good, and His desire is to love you with an everlasting love. Thanks be to God.
My heart! And to stay with him— realigned with him!! Because out of this, he fulfills me!! I am satisfied in Him #1 Thank you Jesus!
I needed to hear this so badly!!! Thank you! I ask God too often- “What do you want from me Jesus!!! Why do you give me so much too handle!!??”
Now I will ask Him differently! Thank you for this message. It will change my perspective and attitude towards my difficult life.
My daughter is in a manipulative relationship where she is not being treated well. I know God wants me to let go of the worry of the unknown I feel in this every day and trust that He is watching over her and guiding her every step. He wants me to let go of the outcome of this relationship and let Him work in her life to show her how much He loves her.
I REALLY WANT A VERY DEEP CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD!!!! THAT IS WHAT I DESIRE!!!! AND TO LIVE FOR HIM!! I WANT THE LORD TO TALK TO ME!! AND I WANT TO HEAR HIM SPEAK TO ME CONCERNING MY LIFE!
I believe God wants for me to have His joy today.
Thank you for today’s blessing. Insightful.
To trust on God. He is in control, not me.
Surrender my whole life to Him Amen.
Thank you for the.reminder and good.encourgement for my spirituall journey every day.
God wants for me to know him better by spending more time listening for His voice, praying for others, reading His word, and giving him control of my life throughout the day, over and over. Thank you for this devotion, Sharon.
Thank you so much for this. It really spoke to my heart. I was that woman at the well; if there was a wrong way to live, I was doing it tenfold. Today I work to draw nearer to God everyday in every way.
Wonderful Devo today!!! God wants for me to have complete peace in my life. I suffer terribly from depression and it is paralyzing. I seek him for peace…..every day, every hour, every moment.
I hesitate to comment. But, here goes. My husband passed 3 years ago. I have been asking God to place another godly man in my life. I now realize that is the wrong request. Lord what, who, when, etc. do you want for me? Lord, I will delight in you. TU Sharon.
Author
I’m proud of you for sharing!
OMG – my husband passed away 3 years ago and I have been asking the same thing! Reading Sharon’s message today made me realize I have been asking the wrong question. I must let go and let God .
Thanks for sharing
I want to be more brave so I can share the word with people
God is good is mercy never fail
For me to rest in his stream of love.
Thank you Jesus for this email it came right on time. The story was perfect God is prefect.
Thank you so much for being obedient women of God. May God continue to bless you & your fruits in the name of Jesus amen.
To continue to put him first in my life, to continue my daily Bible readings, to know him more, to have his heart for others and to share the joy that I have found in Jesus, despite my circumstances with others around me.
“Let go, and Let God!
“Be still and know that I am God”
Thank you Sharon for this timely message! God is speaking to me!
I. DON’T. KNOW.
I know the Lord wants me to abide in Him, rest in Him and have abundant peace and joy through Him. Amen.
John 15:5
Matthew 11:28-30
Isaiah 26:3
Nehemiah 8:10
Thank you 💛
This article was an answer to prayer that I prayed 2 days ago.
I’ve been seeking God for direction and the path isn’t clear – – but one thing I can be sure of is His desire to be in close relationship with me.
Believing He will guide me as needed, on a daily basis, as I draw near to Him.
He wants me to trust him in all things not just things I think out of my control.
I believe God wants for me simply to know Him.
I’ve been consumed with grief since my husband was recently called home…no motivation, sleepless nights due to regrets, very little interactions, and just snippets of scripture.
He wants me to know He is here, despite my feelings and I can trust Him to heal my heart. I have no family, but I have all I need, and more, in Him. I know that in my head, but I need the reality of His presence, without condemnation, in my heart. He wants freedom and victory for me, as He causes me to trust Him.
I don’t have any direction or answers–He wants, for me, to know that He does. Just not easy right now.
What a beautiful sentiment to set our course as we launch into the Lenten season. Thank you Sharon. You always touch and support my heart where it needs shoring up! Warmly and gratefully, Mary
To plunge into God’s river of love and be made complete. To let go and let God…
This devotion today is an answer to my prayers as I have been praying about what this verse means.
I know he wants my eyes on Him and not on all the things going on around me right now. He wants to give me strength instead of me draining it by worry and stress.
To be filled with joy knowing the God isn’t finished with me yet. That He will continue to do a good work in me until the day of Christ Jesus! No matter how complicated life feels for me right now. 🙏
I had no idea this was Jesus longest conversation in the Gospels. It’s like a sweet love note to all women that we matter.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. I can get so caught up in my sin and wondering why I’m not “better yet” after seeking God and doing all the supposed right things. I can make it transactional instead of relational. As my relationship deepens, as my love deepens, my desires will align with His.
Sharon, Thank you for putting this verse in perspective. As a card maker, this verse is in my collection of stamps. It has never been used as it seemed to indicate ‘name and claim’ philosophy. Now it is seen in a totally different light and the message can be directed solely to our God and His desire for each of us.
While here, A Sudden Glory is enriching my faith walk and I Thank You so very much. A definite Must Read! May God continue to bless your ministry.
Martha M.
God wants me to fully trust him. Continue to have hope & faith in him inspite of my circumstances. God wants me to remember my testimonies of all the times, he made a way out of no way for me. God is my waymaker, miracle worker. He can & will do the impossible, as he has done so many times before. He will turn it all around for me, turning beauty from ashes. God has the final say. He loves me unconditionally & he cares, so I will hold on. I will stand firm on my faith & foundation. God is the rock on which I stand & I am grateful! Amen!!! 🙏🏾👏🏽
I am going through a difficult time with my health. I’m overwhelmed and pray for God to heal me and keep me in the palm of His hand. I know He is faithful and His love endures forever. He is my Rock and my Refuge and strength. He will uphold me with His righteous right-hand. Please pray with me and for me to accept His will for my life. Thank you.
THANK YOU SO MUCH SHARON for this verse from Psalm 37. Yes, indeed you are true…as we continually delight in the LORD..He will shape us, our mind, our heart, our actions, our life.. .and also our prayer life according to His grand design for us.
Amen! Thank you! A deeper relationship with Him!
God wants me to have a healing heart. Thank you Jesus for grace and mercy. I love you Jesus,🙏❤️
What a concept…..what does God want FOR me! Yikes, I’ve been living too long in the other direction. Sharon, thank you for letting God work through you to decipher the living Word. I’m carrying this in my back pocket today as I walk in His courage to my endocrinologist visit.
Always a closer walk a relationship with God ….really love this and appreciate you sharing l want to know God personally pray for me please 🙏💗
To trust him with my husbands procedure today that even if he will be with me
Thanks so much Sharyn. This is so rich and beautiful.
I know the Lord wants me to delight in Him more Mmoments by moments.
That is to be consciously aware of His presence more than I was yesterday.
To have peace and have a peace of mind. Not to be stalked, harassed, tortured, and tormented by the Chuuk’EE or Mortlock’EE. To be whole, free, happy, and joyful. To also be myself; healthy and clean.
Thank you for all you do ! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah ❤️
Thank you, Sharon, for your message today. Psalm 37:4 is my confirmation verse. At 75 years old I finally understand why my Pastor gave me that verse over 60 years. I strive to deepen my relationship with God daily. 🙏
To be quiet.
He wants me out of this addiction and to be fully purposed in Him.
God wants for me to feel the love He has for me. He wants me to trust him and enjoy my realtionship with Him. What a mighty God we serve!
God wants for me to feel the love He has for me. He wants me to trust him and enjoy my relationship with Him. What a mighty God we serve!
Patti, my daughter is in the same kind of relationship…I understand. I too had to let go and give it to God. I have this picture frame as a reminder in my bedroom that says-“Give it to God and go to sleep.” My prayers are with you and your daughter. Be blessed.
Hello Sharon,
Thankyou Sharon, I enjoy your words every time. These messages are so insightful. I will not let God be on the back burner he will always dictate and be the leader first always in my life.
I will put the hope in God, and he does the rest. We are so Blessed!!
I love this! Our words can either build up or tear down, and so thankful for this reminder! Please pray for my daughter who is a Christian, she has been deviously manipulated by someone and she is using words to condemn to make her point. What she has been influenced to believe is totally wrong, & refuses to talk about anything.
I am trying to trust God and His timing!
So good, thanks for the reminder that our words either tear down or build up. Please pray for my daughter, she has been manipulated to believe an untruth. She uses words meant for condemnation, she thinks is making make her point.
She will not take about anything. I’m trying to trust the Lord and His timing.