Friday, February 23, 2007

Overflowing Satisfaction


For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psalm 107:9 (KJV)

If I were to put this verse into my own words it might sound something like this…. He fills to satisfaction, completeness, and abundance, the soul that has a veracious appetite, and fills to overflowing and replenishment, the famished soul with bountiful favour and the best things. This is the picture God wants us to have when He says He ‘will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ And when He says, ‘Come unto Me….and I will give.” It shows me the extravagance and lavishness of God’s generosity!

In this world, our souls yearn, crave, and ache for those things we want to be, do, experience, and possess. We either give up hope of ever having the longings fulfilled or we pursue them with a passion. Watch what a person invests their time, energy, and interests in and you will begin to see what it is they are longing for.

There are times when I think the only way to deal with the longings and hunger of my soul is to deny their existence or look for superficial ways to pacify them. I do not want to feel the ache that seems to be a continual part of my internal world. But God is letting me know the longings and hunger are there in order to draw me to Him. He wants me to take in the words of Psalm 145:16 that say He opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. He wants me to see His willingness and readiness to indulge and pamper my soul.

My response? I can either continue to chase after the things and people that I think will fill my emptiness or I can begin to approach God’s open hands and heart. I can either be allured by relationships, accomplishments, or experiences, or I can be captivated by His invitation for an intimate connection whereby I bring my deepest desires and needs to Him and become a recipient of His filling. What a contrast! How could I ever think those choices stand as equals? Who but God could make such an extravagant offer and be able to actually do it?

Father, use the ache in me like a magnet to draw me to Yourself. Let me finally know what it is like to live satisfied and filled to overflowing. Teach me to come to You and receive from You all that You so graciously offer! Amen.