Being Satisfied

Here is a prayer of petition, attributed to Moses, and found in the book of Psalms:

Psalms 90:14 (RSV)

"Satisfy us in the morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

A few years ago, our interim pastor, Russell Lee, presented a message around this little verse. He encouraged us to memorize it and pray it daily. I love the way the words flow out of my mouth. A wish, a dream, a yearning as from a child to The Father.

Here are some of the things that satisfaction is NOT:

greedy
weary
selfish

jealous
apathetic
rebellious

lazy

lustful

discontent
indifferent

empty
resentful

useless
listless

loathsome

indulgent

restless

angry

fearful
deceptive
anguish
dissapointed
negative
ineffective
willful
reclusive
judgmental
discontent
double-minded
proud
rude

Here are some of the things that satisfaction IS:

delighted
attentive

glad

filled

complete
sensitive

gratified
forgiving
discerning

content

fruit bearing

purposeful
compassionate
merciful
committed
truthful
hospitable
dependable
secure
patient
faithful
resourceful
grateful
loyal
humble
orderly

Now that is a long list of do's and don'ts. But look back at them. Could you possibly be happy, content, or satisfied if your behavior emulates many of the first list of characteristics? I do not think so. Now let us look back to the scripture.

Note that in reciting this petition in prayer, we are specific in asking that we are satisfied not with our condition but in the love of the Lord. We want every new day to be complete in the fullness of the blessings, grace, mercy, and love of our Heavenly Father. If we do not seek His unconditional love, we would not be delighted and purposeful.

Because He does abundantly fill our lives with satisfaction, then we will rejoice ALL the days of our lives, no matter the affliction we endure, no matter the disappointments, no matter the failed relationships, no matter the number of our days. Regardless of trial and tribulation, as for us, we want to be the ones that carry and deliver His light into the world.

In my study I came across several scriptures with similar verbage of requests for satisfaction. In the first, Moses describes Naphtali, son of Joseph, from whom came one of the twelve tribes of Israel:

Deuteronomy 33:23 (KJV) "And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD"

The following is a promise of satisfaction:

Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV) "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

 

This verse promises blessings over our work and joy from it:

Deuteronomy 16:15 (NIV) "For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete."

 

And, here is the promise of joy and completeness as a result of our love of the Father and Son:

John 15:9-11 (NIV)  "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

 

Imagine each descriptor in the lists above as being a puzzle piece, which, when assembled as a whole, produces the snapshot of a life. Your life. The life of your children, spouse, family members, acquaintances. See how if you take on one of the "NOT" traits, it will most likely change the make-up of another's. Here is another way of saying that:

The behavior we exhibit influences the world of those we touch.

Come back to this post a few times in the next few weeks and months. I am hopeful that this Psalm will make the face in your mirror each morning become increasingly more and more and more satisfied, rejoiceful, and glad! M