SATISFIED?

 

Sunday, June 27, 2021

 

SATISFIED?

 

Ps 17:5-8

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

 

Ps 17:15

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

 

           The word “satisfied” is found 43 times in our Bible but the phrase “I shall be satisfied” appears only here. The Hebrew word used here is saba’ (saw-bah) and means “copiousness, plenty; to be weary of.” Sitting down to a fine meal the hungriest man will eventually be weary of eating because he is full.

 

           David’s prayer in Psalm 17 compares the pleasures and treasures of his enemies while he and his band of men were scavenging for food and hiding in caves. Even so, David evaluates his situation and finds that God’s rich supply was enough. He was satisfied deep within and knew that ultimately; he would run out of room to receive God’s limitless supply. When he awakes from the sleep of death to find himself in the likeness of God it will be more than enough.

 

           Often, we find ourselves dissatisfied even when we are surrounded by lavish supplies. There is a longing for more. We try to fill the emptiness with many things and while we grasp at new things, we often fail to realize how rich we really are.

 

A man wanted to sell his farm. The story goes something like this: “A farmer had lived on the same farm all his life. It was a good farm, but with the passing years, the farmer began to tire of it. He longed for a change--for something "better." Every day he found a new reason for criticizing some feature of the old place. Finally, he decided to sell, and listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared a sales advertisement. As one might expect, it emphasized all the farm's advantages: ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock, acres of fertile ground, etc. Before placing the ad in the newspaper, the realtor called the farmer and read the copy to him for his approval. When he had finished, the farmer cried out, "Hold everything! I have changed my mind. I am not going to sell. I've been looking for a place like that all my life."

 

Ps 90:14

14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

 

Dear Lord, the wealth of the world cannot quench the thirst of the soul. I know that, like David, I will be satisfied when I wake with thy likeness. AMEN

QUICK ANSWERS TO PRAYER!

 

Saturday, June 26, 2021

 

QUICK ANSWERS TO PRAYER!

 

James 5:16-18

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

 

           About nine years ago, I had a total knee replacement. At about 2:00 A.M. my newly replaced knee began to hurt. I had taken my prescribed dosage of pain medication but still it gave me pain. My wife woke up and we talked for a while. Soon, very soon, my pain went away. I said to my wife: “Thank you!” She said: “For what?” and I said, “for the prayers.” She said: “How did you know”? I reminded her that we have been married for nearly 44 years (at that time) and that I believed in the power of prayer.

 

           The above story provides the opportunity for both doubt and belief, as most religious things do. Scientists will tell me that the pain medicine had finally provided the relief, but the Christian will glorify God because of answered prayer. Prayer does not so much confirm the existence and power of God as it does to confirm either our doubt or our faith.

 

           Elias, or Elijah, was a man of “like passions” or similar mental and emotional makeup as the rest of us. He was subject to doubt but was yielded to faith. Resisting his doubt, and in obedience to God, Elijah prayed that the heavens would stop sending rain. The result was that it did not rain for a period of three years and 6 months! Was this the result of some natural occurrence? Unbelievers would think so, but believers would know it to be an act of God.

 

Matt 21:22

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

Dear Lord, many of our prayers are said in doubt. Often, we do not exercise an active belief. Whether our answers come quickly or force us to wait, let us come before your throne with confidence. AMEN

GET UNDERSTANDING!

 

Friday, June 25, 2021

 

GET UNDERSTANDING!

 

Prov 4:5-7

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

One might easily guess that Solomon was the giver of this advice, but his source was God. He was offered anything he needed as he began his reign as king, and he rejected wealth and power for wisdom. Wealth and power, he discovered, are the traveling companions of wisdom.

 

To know who is the essence of all relationships. It is the foundation of friendships, romance, and diplomacy. Study to know who.

 

To know what is the clarity of all action. This is evident by the demonstration of so many who do not know just what they are doing.

 

To know when is the power of discretion. Discretion is the restraint of desire and the bounds of liberty.

 

To know where is the limits of adventure. The earth is not flat even when one is driving across Kansas! “It is he [God] that sitteth upon the circle of the earth.”    Isa 40:22

 

To know why is the key to science. Albert Einstein determined that massive objects cause a distortion in space-time, which is felt as gravity. His discovery began with “why.”

 

Wisdom is the spirit of sagacity which is having or showing understanding and the ability to make good judgments. God, through Solomon, said: “Wisdom is the PRINCIPAL thing. In all thy getting, get wisdom.”

 

Lord, let me travel through this day with a clear head and a pure heart. AMEN