The Satisfied Soul
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11
The New Testament equivalent to this passage are the words of Jesus Christ in John 7:37-39. If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
A Christian, growing in his relationship with Christ will be a satisfied person, and others will see it. There is something wrong with a dissatisfied Christian. A dissatisfied Christian is one who is more occupied with self than the Lord. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee (Isaiah 26:3).
1. It is because of God’s mercy that we are saved. Perhaps we ought to pray as did the psalmist in Psalm 90:14 — O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
2. Failure to understand God and His ways can lead to dissatisfaction. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he UNDERSTANDETH AND KNOWETH ME, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 9:24).
A. Understanding what we have been saved from is important — sin, death, and hell. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4).
B. Understanding the love of God and the sacrifice of our Savior, who took our sin upon Himself at Calvary should bring much rejoicing in our lives (John 3:16). Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee (Psalm 63:3).
C. Understanding our future hope should bring satisfaction. The day is coming when we will be caught up together with all the saints to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thess. 4:17). and we shall see Him, the One Who sacrificed His life for us, face to face (I John 3:2). As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness (Psalm 17:15).
3. The way we think will largely determine whether we will be satisfied or dissatisfied. Jesus said, But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man (Matthew 15:18).
If our thinking is wrong, our behavior will follow and we will never be satisfied. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). We can choose to think rightly, even to think God’s thoughts after Him.
Paul exhorts us to think rightly in Philippians 4:8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Again, we can choose what will occupy our minds. By choosing to think rightly, we can be satisfied. If we choose to think on that which is not of God, it is logical that we will be dissatisfied. As Christians, we have the gift of spiritual life and understanding that the world does not have. We need to feed this daily that we might grow increasingly into His likeness. This will bring us daily satisfaction and cause us to long all the more for the moment when we will truly be like Him.
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek Him: your heart shall live forever (Psalm 22:26). What is your spiritual appetite today? Will you find your satisfaction in Him? Anything this world can offer is only temporal and that which we have in Christ is eternal.
Clara Tear Williams put all of this into a Gospel Song – “Satisfied”
All my life long I had panted for a draught, from some clear spring,
that I hoped would quench the burning of the thirst I felt within.
Feeding on the husks around me, till my strength was almost gone,
longed my soul for something better, only still to hunger on.
Poor I was, and sought for riches, something that would satisfy,
but the dust I gathered round me only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Well of water, ever springing, bread of life so rich and free,
untold wealth that never faileth, my Redeemer is to me.
Chorus:
Hallelujah! I have found Him whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings, Thru His blood I now am saved.
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.
Photo by Izzy Gerosa on Unsplash