“For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9
Dear Ones:
When Isaiah writes that Christ was “…despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” (Is. 53:3) we are immediately transported to the mirror that reveals things as they are. Earlier in the book of Isaiah, we read a contradiction to such a context of suffering, sadness, and sorrow, “…Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is FULL of His glory.” (Is. 6:3) There is NO contradiction between reality and truth, especially as it is in Christ. However, there is a blatant difference in the beauty, and nature of God, His glory, as revealed “in all the earth,” and the very real effects of man’s sin and rejection of God. On the one hand, there is only the fullness of blessing and goodness in Christ. On the other, man left to himself has created a void of true, heart-felt, and blessing in the soul. He exists, but does not truly Live. He strives to fill the void and meaning of his existence by the manifold “ways and means” of the world. In this regard, there are two realities that are here in play. The first is that of man, who is ever seeking to be satisfied and filled in his heart and soul. The second, is that of God, who IS Himself, fullness, completeness, with the willingness of purpose to fill man with His goodness, and His peace.
There are many folk who seek peace, a blessed calm and assurance, with the conviction that they are in harmony with the Divine purpose and way. Others seek a peace, but only from a standpoint of avoiding the difficult, especially suffering. There is an effort to find a certain harmony with one’s fellowman, and with nature, a peace of mind in accordance with the laws of nature. The fundamental problem in the pursuit of such a quest, is that of our context, a sinful and suffering world. How does one ever find peace, satisfaction and fullness in such a world as this, where sin has caused such suffering and sorrow? The answer is in the Psalmist’s most simple, and wonderful declaration: “He (God) satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
One of the declarations that Jesus made during His ministry was directed to those who “…labor and are heavy laden.” (Matt. 11:28) His promise is that HE “…will give you rest…rest unto your souls.” Paul would speak of one knowing a “…peace that passes all understanding.” (Phil 4:7) He would go on to write to the believers at Ephesus: “…and to KNOW the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be FILLED with all the fullness of God.” (3:1) Here we have presented to us what “satisfaction” and “fullness” truly are. They are the result of Christ, not only coming into the heart, but dwelling there, filling it, and “satisfying the longing soul” with HIS satisfaction. So powerful is this reality that Jesus would say, “…These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) What is He saying? Christ IS our unchanging, unalterable peace, our satisfaction. In the midst of a fallen world, where there will be difficulties, suffering, and sorrow, HE has overcome every enemy which oppose our joy and satisfaction. He Himself, by the Spirit, is the complete satisfaction and fullness of our hearts, ready to be such as we turn to Him.
Dear Father, our hungry souls turn to Thee this day, to trust Thee to fill them with Yourself. Lord Jesus, be our fullness this day, filling us with Yourself by the Spirit, that we might have to give to those who are hungering and thirsting after Thee, sometimes not even knowing so. We praise and thank Thee for Yourself, that You came, and that you dwell in our hearts…eternally. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad