However, in the reality of fallen humanity, this original harmony has been distorted. In Christ, this old, corrupt will is fundamentally transformed. As John Calvin and other theologians note, the true will of a person is not utterly destroyed; to do so would be to reduce humans to mere automata devoid of genuine moral agency. Instead, the corrupt, evil-dominated will was crucified with Christ, and the destructive power of evil desire was put to death. This transformation allows the renewed human will to be characterized by what the Psalms describe as "righteous desire"—a desire aligned with God's law, cultivated in those whom God has redeemed. For those familiar with the Psalms, which have been meditated upon across generations, it becomes clear that desire is central to the work of God's law within the elect: it is the vital force that seeks to dethrone evil and restore God's righteousness in the human heart. Divine pronouncements—such as His statutes, curses, promises, and covenants—serve to align our identity with our divine purpose. These divine gifts are designed to guide us toward true fulfillment and harmony with God's will. A key insight is that the greatest obstacle to spiritual success and genuine happiness is not overestimating ourselves but undervaluing our worth and potential. Paradoxically, being saved and redeemed by God's grace is evidence that we possess genuine self-knowledge—that we recognize our sins, limitations, and need for divine help. Often, our real problem lies in holding too low a view of ourselves, neglecting the divine calling to elevate our desires through God's word and law. True self-knowledge involves understanding both our brokenness and our potential for righteousness, which is rooted in God's transformative power. The pursuit of this self-knowledge hinges upon a relentless engagement with our desires—examining, aligning, and fulfilling them in accordance with divine truth. The Psalms serve as a divine guide—an advocacy for our success—by instructing us how to express and realize our deepest desires through prayer, worship, and obedience to divine law. When our desires are thwarted—when we face opposition or frustration—it feels as though our very personhood is diminished; our sense of purpose and joy is compromised. Our success in life depends on the clarity and fulfillment of these desires, which are meant to lead us toward righteousness and communion with God. Contrary to some mystical notions, evil is not an impersonal force but is driven by the actions of fallen humanity pursuing their corrupted desires. Evil manifests through the choices of individuals who seek their own pleasure at the expense of righteousness and divine law. To combat evil effectively, we must first understand what we truly desire and be able to communicate those desires honestly to God. Our desires are authentic only insofar as they are shaped and guided by God's covenant, statutes, curses, and promises. The Psalms vividly express the human experience of frustration—of desires being thwarted—yet also reveal that genuine pleasure and fulfillment lie in the pursuit and realization of those desires in accordance with God's will. It is fundamentally important to understand that the ultimate reality—the true, divine nature of all existence—is known only by God Himself. He alone possesses perfect freedom, which is the sovereign liberty to do whatever He wills without impediment. This divine liberty is absolute and unchanging, reflecting His omnipotence and sovereignty. In contrast, all creatures—humans, angels, animals—have wills that are limited and often hindered by circumstances, other beings, or their own nature. Their freedom is but a faint shadow of God's perfect liberty; it is limited, partial, and often subject to frustration. Nonetheless, at the very foundation of our being, God created humans in His own image, bestowing upon us the capacity for will and desire. This divine image within us means that we are created with the ability to choose, to yearn, and to set our intentions—gifts that reflect a fragment of God's sovereign freedom. However, because our wills can be obstructed—by sin, ignorance, or external forces—our perception of reality is inevitably biased and imperfect. Each person views the world through their own particular perspective, filtered by their biases, limitations, and desires. This subjectivity contributes to the disunity, conflict, and strife that pervade human life, as individuals pursue conflicting or misguided aims. Yet, the frustration of human existence arises from our inability to exercise this sovereign freedom fully. We long for just enough sovereignty—enough freedom of will—to act according to our true desires without obstruction. Before the entrance of sin, humanity enjoyed this untainted capacity: desire, will, and action flowed seamlessly and without confusion. But with the advent of sin, man's ability to choose good was compromised; his will became ensnared by evil, making it difficult or impossible to freely turn toward righteousness. This corrupted state explains the ongoing struggle within each person—a battle between the redeemed desire for righteousness and the lingering influence of sinful inclination. In summary, the divine reality is rooted in God's perfect freedom, which serves as the ultimate standard of liberty. Created in God's image, humans possess the capacity for will and desire, but these are often hindered by sin and limitation. Our perception of reality is influenced by subjective biases, yet divine revelations serve to guide and unify us in our purpose. The pursuit of self-knowledge and divine desire is central to the Christian life, with the Psalms providing a poetic and practical guide to expressing and fulfilling our deepest longings. Evil is rooted in fallen human desires, not impersonal forces, and can only be overcome through understanding and aligning our desires with God's covenant and law. The joy and success of the believer depend on the clarity and fulfillment of these desires, which are rooted in God's sovereign will and grace. Ultimately, God's unthwarted will and successful purpose serve as the foundation for human hope, unity, and righteousness—an eternal harmony that is restored through Christ, who renews the human will and restores our capacity for righteous desire. The joy of the Christian life, therefore, is rooted in this divine desire—desires that transcend worldly circumstances and temporary pleasures. Since God's will is perfectly free and unthwarted, He delights in granting success to those who seek Him sincerely, just as He Himself is successful in fulfilling His divine purposes. This divine success is rooted in the unity between God's sovereign will and His gracious gifts to His people. The inherent subjectivity of human desire explains the disunity and strife that mark the human condition. If every individual were truly free—completely sovereign and capable of executing their will without opposition—the universe would reflect perfect harmony. Each person's gifts and desires would complement others, creating a state where no one would need to oppose or thwart another, because all would be expressing their highest purpose in joyful accord. The divine design was that humans should exercise their free will unopposed, allowing their unique contributions to flourish in harmony with others.