My Soul's Satisfaction

Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you... Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you...I will praise you as long as I live...My soul will be satisfied as with the riches of foods...Psalm 63:1, 3-5

What satisfies you? Lots of money, time with friends, food, work, your children, success? Look at your life... are you satisfied?

Psalm 63 is David's prayer while hiding from his enemies in the desert of Judah. His prayer centers on his source of true satisfaction- God Himself. David says his soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods. Satisfy means "to fill to satisfaction, have enough, be full of, have plenty of". In the King James version, the "richest of foods" is translated "marrow and fatness". As unappetizing as this sounds, marrow and fatness means "the richest, the choice part, the best and finest part, abundance". Think about sour cream or butter- it is the fat in our food which makes us lick our lips. It gives our food taste, it gives us pleasure and enjoyment. Just like we enjoy those kinds of foods, we were made to enjoy God! God is what brings the "taste" to living!!

Does God alone satisfy you? Who is He to you? Is He someone you speak to only in church? Does He make up one of the many different compartments of your life, much like work, church or community commitments? Or is He more than that? I have heard various teachers ask, "When Jesus fed the 5000, who did He call Himself to those around Him? When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, what did He call Himself? When Jesus met the woman at the well, how did He refer to Himself? When Jesus healed the blind man, how did He identify who He was?" Here is the fascinating truth- Jesus is the answer to our every situation! When He fed the 5000, he was the Bread of Life. When He raised Lazarus from the dead, He was the Resurrection and the Life. When He met the woman at the well, He was the Living Water. When He healed the blind man He was the Light of the World! He was the exact thing each individual was looking for and needed.

Look at your own life. If you're lonely,then Jesus says He has called you friend (John 15). If you are insecure, Jesus says He is your confidence (Proverbs 3). If you are anxious, He is your Peace (Isaiah 9). If you feel rejected, He proclaims He is your Acceptance (Isaiah 41). If you are in some life storm, He is your Stronghold and Refuge (Psalm 18). If you are broken emotionally, He is your Healer (Psalm 107). If you are exhausted or just plain burned out, He is your Resting Place (Matthew 11). If you are discontented, He is your Satisfaction (Psalm 63). The list can go on and on, my sisters.

There is nothing that can satisfy like Jesus Christ. For whatever the situation, He is the Answer. What are you dealing with today? Will you allow Him to be your Answer?

Lord, You are the Answer to my every situation. Help me to find my soul's Satisfaction in You. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher