Category Archives: Satisfaction

Abiding, Passion, Satisfaction, Scripture, Separation, Thirsting

IMPATIENCE

ZECHARIAH 11:8

“‘Then I did away with the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was tired of me.’”

I have never been accused of being the most patient man. However, in the past few years that has gotten better. Chalk it up to old age, right? Impatience with people or with situations always gave me fits. I just couldn’t tolerate slackness in work or a lack of care about how things were done. Like I said, though, age will build your patience.

The three shepherds in today’s verse are explained well by Theodoret. He says, “He speaks of the kings of the Jews, and prophets and priests; for by the three orders they were shepherded.” God had lost His patience with them because of the way they had led the people astray. But they had also grown “tired” of Him. Actually, the Hebrew word there for “was tired” is much stronger. It means to abhor. That word is only used one other time in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 20:21.

APPLICATION

Do you ever get the feeling that God is tired of you? Honestly, I have had that feeling in the past. Do you want to know when I felt that way? When I wasn’t spending time with Him. Our hearts wander if we aren’t careful. We can get self-absorbed or busy with other things. Before we know it, we too have grown tired of God. What an awful feeling.

So, how do you combat that feeling? Psalm 143:6 says it well.
“I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.” That’s how you deal with that feeling. You must thirst for God like a parched land. You can’t get enough of Him. You must long to spend time with Him and bask in His presence.

Now, let me say something quickly. God never tires of you. He is always ready to receive you. But He won’t beg you to spend that quality time with Him. If you are feeling distant from God, guess who moved. You did. So, stop and get close to Him. Snuggle up next to the God of the universe.

I am so thankful to know You are always ready to receive me, O Lord.

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Affliction, Battles, Bible, Jobs, Provision, Satisfaction, Scripture, Works

NO WORK

ZECHARIAH 8:10

“‘“For before those days there was no wage for man nor any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I sent all the people against one another.”’”

Last Fall I was in an East African country that was struggling economically. The unemployment rate was extremely high. People were suffering due to high food costs and the lack of fuel for vehicles and their homes. It was hard to hear the stories of families suffering and having to make difficult financial decisions. There was no work and no prospects for new jobs.

In today’s verse God is reminding the Israelites how bad it was before. Nobody was working. There wasn’t even any work for the animals due to poor crops and the damage of war. Sometimes, you just have to be reminded how bad it used to be so you can appreciate the present. Obviously, God felt the people needed that little reminder.

APPLICATION

Have you forgotten God’s blessings in the past? Better yet, have you forgotten how you were before Christ? Think back to that day. Before Christ came into my life, I was wandering aimlessly. I was pursuing all the wrong things. I was spiritually bankrupt. I need God to work on me, and He did. He gloriously saved me when I was sixteen. Now, that did not solve all my issues. I have still made mistakes since then. But it is so much better now.

I have never gone through a time for very long when I did not have a job. My dad taught me to never leave a job until you have another one lined up. I have pretty much always done that. So, it’s hard for me to relate personally to someone who has struggled for months or even years without a job. I have friends who have gone through that and have watched them struggle. I have prayed with them and even wept with them about this.

I want to remind you today of a passage in Colossians 3. Verses 23-24 tell us, “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” You see, that is the key. Whatever we do!

Take a minute and list all the jobs you have ever had. Now, thank God for each one. Yes, each one. Every job you have ever had has been used by God to teach you and train you for the next one. I am not sure what job I will have in heaven. But whatever it is, it will be glorious to serve my Master. Don’t you agree?

Thank You, Father, for “employing” me in Your service. I want to always work to bring You glory.

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Bible, Contentment, Peace, Rest, Satisfaction, Scripture

NEVER SATISFIED

HABAKKUK 2:5

“’Furthermore, wine betrays an arrogant man, so that he does not achieve his objective. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied. He also gathers to himself all the nations and collects to himself all the peoples.’”

Some things are never satisfied. Football fans are not satisfied that their team won the championship. They want them to win it every year, and if they don’t, they want to get rid of the coach. Church members want the preacher to preach the perfect sermon every week. If he struggles one week, they start questioning his abilities.

God is still speaking here in verse 5. And He is telling Habakkuk that the wicked man is never satisfied. There is another story I was reminded of when I read this today. God gave the Hebrew children in the wilderness manna from heaven. But they grumbled against it. They tired of God’s miraculous provision and wanted something more.

APPLICATION

Don’t point fingers! We all do the same thing. God meets our needs, but we ask for more. God does a miracle in our life through a healing of us or someone else, and once again we ask for another. Satisfaction in Christ means we are satisfied completely when we receive our salvation. All other things are just the cherry on top of the ice cream. Nice but not necessary.

Paul says is well in Philippians 4:12. “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

That should be our goal each and every day – to be content, to be satisfied. Unlike the pagan described in today’s verse, we should not always hunger for more. True contentment in Christ is sweet. There is no pressure, no worries, no strife – just rest. Don’t you want to rest in Him today?

I am satisfied, I am satisfied, I am satisfied with Jesus. But the question comes to me, as I think of Calvary, Is my Master satisfied with me?

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