Satisfied

 We live in a time when it seems fewer people are really satisfied. By satisfied I mean in every area of life. Marriage. Finances. Economic status. Even in religion. People are on a futile chase to find satisfaction in areas that cannot deliver what people seek.

To be satisfied means to be satiated, and to have thirst quenched abundantly. Married people are not satisfied so they seek the thrill of adultery. Families are not satiated with what they have so they go deeper in debt to buy things they do not need and that never fill the void in their souls. The business man cannot be content with making one deal. There is always another deal to make, another dollar to earn, and more power to grab. The rich and famous cannot be satisfied being rich and famous. They seek the comfort of drugs and alcohol to mask the pain. 

I contrast all of that with a truth from God's word. 

Psalm 107:9 (NASB)
⁹  For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

God does the satisfying as we seek Him. Many people seek Him like a genie in a lamp. They make their requests and expect that their wishes will be God's command. NOTHING ON THIS PLANET WILL EVER SATISFY US PERMANENTLY. Not food. Not drink. Nor sex, shopping, making money, social media, video games, entertainment, travel, relationships, or even family. Each can provide temporary fulfillment but in the end all will disappoint at some time or another. No matter how good the meal you digest it, eliminate it and must eat again. No drink no matter how long, cool or refreshing will satisfy your thirst forever. Sex may be enjoyable for a season but the pleasure is temporary. Relationships will fail us. People die. The dead leave loved ones behind. Even love at its very best in human form will be severed by the cruel cold hand of death. Pictures contain the images of the departed and memories linger, but love cherished so deeply cannot be reciprocated by the deceased. 

God alone satisfies. He is what we need. In Him all the deepest thirsts of our souls can be quenched. In Him we find the fountain of living water. Drinking from that fount leads to contentment. He is what is best for our souls. He knows the best thing for us, the thing that will ultimately satisfy us, is Himself. 

Millions ignore this. They vainly chase after the wind as Solomon put in the book of Ecclesiastes. Marketers play on this by advertising the next latest and greatest things to enhance our lives from cell phones to hi tech wrist watches. We can talk to our cars to open garage doors and turn on the lights in the house. We can push a button and remotely start our vehicles, either heating or cooling them, before we ever step inside. None of this makes anymore content. 

I would contend pioneer settlers were more content with less. They worked harder for everything. To survive the elements, protect themselves from savage beasts and fight against hostile enemies. They labored hours on end for one simple meal which they ate with more gratitude than most of us with all our gourmet dishes. Many had simpler lives and a simpler but stronger faith in God. 

God is what we thirst for. He put that thirst in our souls that He alone can satisfy. Many people have wasted their whole lives searching for satisfaction in all the wrong places. 

God fills the hungry. Those who are famished from lack of food can discover God is a faithful provider. More importantly, He satisfies the deepest cravings of our soul. He is our peace of mind. He is our self worth. He is our identity. He is our Deliverer. He is our Savior. He is our Redeemer. He is a strong and mighty tower. He is our refuge. He is everything we need. He alone can fill the crevices of our soul. Not only fill each crack but abundantly overflow and replenish our inward longings. 

He fills us with good. What is more good than Himself. He is both pleasant and beneficial to thirsty hearts and hungry souls. I hope we can learn this lesson and not waste our days in endless pursuits of lesser things. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "We are far too easily pleased." He is right. We give our days in the pursuit of lesser things instead of the pursuit of the one great and all satisfying thing. God.