Walk Of Life – Day 19, August 2021 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs – Right Attitude
The Right Attitude to be Satisfied
The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. – Proverbs 19:23
The word satisfaction means Contentment. When will we be content? Quite simple. When our wants and needs are met. Is there an edge to our needs or wants? Are we satisfied with everything that we possess? The answer is an absolute NO. The evolution of a new version of mobile phone in the market makes us to yearn for having it though our own mobile is more than enough. The one with a cycle longs to have a bike and after having the bike the quest increases for a car. Does the longing stop there. No, It moves on to have a luxurious car.
Satisfaction seems to be a rare condition in our world today, as many people express dissatisfaction with their jobs, their marriages, their circumstances, and themselves. The Bible teaches that finding satisfaction in life depends on having a relationship with God through Christ.
Satisfaction involves contentment, being satisfied with one’s circumstances. The Bible has a lot to say about contentment. First Timothy 6:6–8 says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Learning to be content is the prelude to satisfaction.
To be satisfied means we are not yearning for something else. When our hunger is satisfied, we don’t want any more food. When our thirst is satisfied, we don’t crave more water. When we are in right relationship with God, our souls are satisfied. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25–26).
We recognize that God has provided all we need for our present happiness and we can, therefore, experience satisfaction. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Godly satisfaction is the state of being pleased and grateful for God’s provision and work in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20).
Paul lived for decades with beatings, stonings, imprisonments, and rejection. He summarized earthly satisfaction in Galatians 2:20 when he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” When we, with Paul, are willing to daily crucify our flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24) and allow the Holy Spirit to live through us, we find a greater fulfillment than the soap bubbles of this world could ever promise.
Life is simplified when we recognize that our purpose is simply to reflect the glory of God in the unique ways He designed us to shine (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:20). When we make it our goal to live for Christ, the result is a satisfaction that carries into eternity. Even when earthly needs or wants clamor for attention, our souls know this state is temporary and our eternal satisfaction is just ahead. “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11; cf. Matthew 6:19–21).
