Psalm 107:9
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Dive Deeper
Behind the Scenes
This entirety of Psalm 107 speaks of how God pursues the lost, the bewildered, and the desperate. It says that He gathers his people from all corners of the earth. It says that he guides those lost in the desert, dying of thirst and hunger to a city where they can dwell and prosper.
I think back to the Hebrew people who were freed from slavery in Egypt, but because of their lack of trust in Yahweh they wondered the dessert for 40 years. Even in their distrust, Yahweh provided bread from heaven and springs of water. When that didn’t satisfy He provided quail. For some reason the people were never satisfied. It wasn’t until an entire generation passed were they lead to the promised land.
In John chapter 4, Jesus is with the woman at the well while His disciples had gone to town to buy food. When the disciples returned to find Jesus talking with a woman the disciples encouraged Him to eat after their long journey. But Jesus answered them and said, “I have food you do not know about.” Yet, he had not eaten.
How is it that a generation of people could travel the desert with a pillar of fire guiding them by night and a cloud of smoke by day, been given signs, see wonders, never had their clothes wear out and be provided food and water without hunger yet be unsatisfied? But we see Jesus with out any food after a long journey through difficult terrain then refuse food and be completely satisfied.
I know the easy answer is, well He is God, duh. But that is not the real answer. Jesus’ body still craved food just like ours. I think the answer can be found in Psalm 107:19–20, “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.”
The first step to take is to realize we are not sufficient in ourselves. We must cry out to Jesus who is the Word of God who was sent to heal and deliver! We must learn to be satisfied in what satisfies Him. So what satisfied Jesus? Why was he so satisfied that he denied himself food when his body needed it? Jesus answers this question in John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
Make it Real
In last weeks message Pastor Brian quoted Paul who said that as a single person it is easier to devote yourself to God as the “unsingle” person’s mind is on the things of this world, how to please their spouse.
No matter where we are in life, single or unsingle, we must find satisfaction in the Word made flesh, Jesus. And like Jesus, we must find satisfaction and be made full in doing the will of our Heavenly Father. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Being single may be difficult as you long for someone in the flesh to do life with. But I would encourage you to make the most of this time. Live singleness to the fullest! Get involved with ministry, go on that mission trip, consider becoming a missionary or champion that cause that Jesus as brought passion and conviction for in your life. I know as I look back on my life I wish I would have taken advantage of simpler times. Because marriage and family definitely complicates things. For those of you who are married, you are not off the hook. While it may be more complicated don’t let that be an excuse. Do ministry as a family, go after that passion Jesus put on your heart. Sure it’s complicated, but it’s worth it. Life is a mission, not a vacation.
Jesse Garnett
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Jesus,
Thank you for demonstrating what it means to be satisfied and showing us how true satisfaction only comes from you, in doing what you called us to do. You made us for a purpose, a mission. Jesus put passion in our hearts for what you are passionate for. Jesus make me into the person you want me to be for the mission you have for me. Align my heart with yours. I ask that the things of this world would taste bitter, but you, all the more sweet. May my satisfaction be complete in you. Please grow my desire for you. Please help me to give up the comfort and pleasures of this world for completion in you.
Jesus, I trust in you! Amen!