True satisfaction is found in that old, rugged cross

Deuteronomy 8:10: …And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

There isn’t enough space here to contextualize what surrounds this verse, so I encourage you study Genesis - Deuteronomy. To be brief, this verse finds us right when Moses is giving the “terms and conditions” to reap the benefits for obeying the covenant commands He left for Israel. Spoiler alert: they don’t obey. Their history is rife with disobedience and horrible evils. Israel exemplified that all mankind is in desperate need of a Savior. 

Even still, the words of Moses remain. Does this mean that God will satisfy our worldly wants so long as we are faithful enough and following His commands? That would suggest a prosperity gospel – a path you must stay far away from! However, this verse stands true for us. God promises us repeatedly in Scripture that He desires to satisfy us. 

Lately, I have wanted to see this more in my own life: that He, and nothing else, would satisfy. While I admit I enjoy creature comforts (perhaps a little too much), what I truly crave is to be satisfied, not just placated by passing pleasures. I’m reminded of the words from C.S. Lewis, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” 

It’s easy to call upon the Lord to heal our broken bodies, relationships, and nation. A more challenging exercise is to offer Him praise when He doesn’t, trusting in His promises. God will fill you with His goodness and presence. He will satisfy us with His infinite joy, peace, hope, and love. Here are some verses to consider this…

Ps 90:14 “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Ps 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” 1Pe 5:7 “[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

God’s clear desire is to show us that He has nothing but good for His children. Receiving this promise, though, requires a heart that is willing to submit and surrender to Him – a heart willing to trust Him despite the circumstances. True satisfaction is found in the heart that will look upon that old, rugged cross. He died for us that we may live in Him. Jhn 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Let your joy be made full in Him today.

Ben Ediss is worship director at High Sierra Fellowship.