Satisfaction
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:1-6
Today’s Treasure: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare” (Isa. 55:2).
God wants us to find satisfaction in Him rather than waste our time and effort on things that cannot satisfy. When we look to other sources for satisfaction, we are guilty of idolatry.
Isaiah contains one of the most poetic and comely expressions of grace in either Testament: Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters; and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost. (Isa. 55:1)
On the heels of the invitation, God posed the question that haunts every generation of Adam’s descendants. “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” Then, like a frustrated parent determined to get through to his child, He said, “Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” I believe God’s prescription for those who possess an inner thirst (Isa. 55:1) and hunger they cannot fill is implied in Isaiah 55:6. Those who are spiritually thirsty and hungry need only to do this: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”
I believe God creates and activates a nagging dissatisfaction in every person for an excellent reason. According to 2 Peter 3:9, God doesn’t want anyone to perish. Rather, He wants everyone to come to repentance. He gave us a will so we could choose whether or not to accept His invitation, but God purposely created us with a need that only He can meet.
Have you ever noticed that one of the most common human experiences is the inability to be completely satisfied? Unfortunately, salvation does not completely fill the need. Many come to Christ out of their search for something missing; yet after receiving His salvation, they go elsewhere for further satisfaction. Christians can be miserably dissatisfied if they accept Christ’s salvation yet reject the fullness of daily relationship that satisfies. God offers us so much more than we usually choose to enjoy.
Dissatisfaction is not a terrible thing. It’s a God-thing. It’s only a terrible thing when we don’t let it lead us to Christ. He wants us to find the only thing that will truly satiate our thirsty and hungry hearts.
Lord, I’m sorry for trying to find satisfaction apart from You. Thank You for providing true satisfaction through a daily relationship with You. I pray for my friends and family members who do not know You to recognize their nagging dissatisfaction and turn their hearts to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from Breaking Free, by Beth Moore, pages 64-65. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2000. Used by permission.
1 comment:
I've seen and experienced this and I know that God remains faithful. His Grace and Mercy in my own life are more than I could ever deserve. I see how futile some of my efforts are to be satisfied by the world's offerings and it doesn't work...only God is able to fill and satisfy the deep hunger and void in our lives. -n
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