Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Psalm 107:8-9
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
In the 1980’s the Mars’ candy bar “Snickers” took off in their sales as they rolled out a new television ad and a new jingle. The ad involved the company interviewing everyday people as to why they enjoy the snickers candy bar so much. After they would finish interviewing folks, the jingle would come on and say: “Packed with peanuts, Snickers satisfies.” The company began to run with the idea that the candy bar had the ability to satisfy one’s hunger if they were too hungry to wait anymore before their next meal. As an avid snacker, I can mostly agree as Snickers has the ability to hold me over until my next meal if I need it.
Here’s the deal, a Snickers bar may be able to temporarily satisfy your earthly hunger, but it can’t bring eternal satisfaction to your soul. As a matter of fact, nothing under the sun can do that. The Psalmist shares with us the reality in vs. 9 that it is the Lord God who satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry with good things. It is through a relationship with God, through Christ which brings satisfaction to the longing soul of man.
The question then is why? Why are we as mankind walking in emptiness apart from a relationship with God? The Bible talks about how we as mankind were created to have a relationship with God. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 Solomon says that God has put eternity into the hearts of all men. In Genesis 2-3 Adam and Eve began with walking with God in the garden, but they sinned, which brought separation between them and God. We too, because of our sin, have been separated from God. The Good News though is that God didn’t leave us there but sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross and rose from the dead so that we can have that relationship with God again through Him. Praise be to God! We can be eternally satisfied through Jesus.
The sad reality is that if we are not careful, we can easily allow for outside influences to dupe us into thinking that there are other avenues to be followed/worshipped that will bring us satisfaction. If we choose to pursue riches, fame, relationships, we will find that those things do not bring us satisfaction. The reality though is that King Solomon, who was the wisest man to ever live and perhaps the richest to ever live, pursued those things and compared it to chasing the wind. He understood the truth that worshipping those things just leave you wanting more.
So this morning, understand that eternal satisfaction comes from Jesus and Him alone. Let us choose to be thankful for God making a way for us to find that satisfaction (v.8), and tell others of where they can find the water which can satisfy the thirsty soul!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Remind me that true life is found in You alone. Help me to remember that and pursue you with my whole heart, telling others where they can find this Living water/Bread of life which can satisfy the thirsty soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God