Daily Encouragement Net (Archive/Print Edition)

Monday, March 6, 2006

"True Satisfaction"

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90:14).

Many readers will recall the Rolling Stone's song "I can't get no satisfaction". In many ways that summarizes the outlook of the world. Marketing strategy is intent on convincing us we are not satisfied and of course if we just buy the advertised product, satisfaction will follow. Just consider the message of virtually all the unsolicited junk email that manages to make it in your inbox! Even if you didn't think you had a problem the barrage of advertisements can make you reassess your original thinking or raise your curiosity. Problems can arise that were not really problems in the first place.

Satisfaction can be a result of a fulfilling marriage and happy family, a job promotion, educational attainment, or acquiring more of this and more of that. These things aren't necessarily bad but all lack the true source of satisfaction. Mick Jagger and every other seeker will find that true satisfaction is found only in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

The daily verse is a real key to the life of satisfaction. The Psalmist (in this case Moses) is offering one of the richest prayers found in the Bible. He cries out to God to "satisfy us in the morning." He thus acknowledges that the source of the satisfied life is God; even more specifically the source is God's "unfailing love."

It's so contrary to the message of the world that screams in our ears with the multitude of sources of satisfaction it offers. These are all temporary at best. The deep, abiding satisfaction the soul longs for can only be found in God. Later in the Psalms we read, "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing" (Psalms 145:16).

Moses said "in the morning". The Hebrew here literally means "at the break of day". As we begin our day with the deep assurance of God's unfailing love we are filled and equipped, so that we can live the day in victory and sing for joy and be glad throughout our entire day.

Today my brothers and sisters, may we experience this deep satisfaction that God has provided. The Psalmist's prayer is so powerful. God alone is the source of satisfaction. Today, regardless of our circumstances, let us truly be satisfied with God's unfailing love. Let us sing for joy and be glad all our days, beginning today!

I found it all in Jesus, the Christ of Calvary.
By His dear side, I'm satisfied. He's everything to me.
I have a flag to follow, a cause for which to live,
A work to do, a leader true, my all to Him I give. *

Be encouraged today,

Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, as I draw near to You in reading Your Word and in lifting my voice to You this day there is a renewal in my spirit. I recognize that my joy and satisfaction will not be determined by the events of this day, but by the state of my heart. When human love is fleeting and disappointments arise help me to look beyond my present circumstance. As the Psalmist wrote, "Earth has nothing I desire besides You", I also look to You for ongoing fulfillment to meet my every longing. Thank you that Your joy does not last for a season, but for a lifetime.

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