Psalm 63:5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Sometimes in life we do things expecting a certain outcome, but are surprised when we get an unexpected benefit. We bring our kids to volunteer at a soup kitchen because we want them to be more grateful for what they have. We send folks on short-term missions trips hoping to broaden their worldview, help them to gain a sense of urgency in bringing the Gospel to the needy. We have our kids help rake leaves, shovel snow, clean windows for the widow who lives in the neighborhood hoping they will develop compassion for the hurting.
But what happens when we don’t get the expected result? Our kids aren’t more grateful, they don’t broaden their worldview or develop compassion. What do we do then?
I find the best unexpected benefits happen when the outcome seems counterintuitive to the activity. Soup kitchens often help people gain perspective. Short-term missions often broaden the worldview. Serving others often develops compassion.
But what happens when you don’t get was seems like an obvious outcome?
This is what seems to happen in our Psalm today. The writer says that He is seeking God as if he were in a desert seeking relief for his thirst. Have you ever been so thirsty that your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth? That is thirsty! The writer is thirsty for God. He senses such a lack of connection that he wants it more than anything else in life. It is survival to him.
The writer then speaks about his experience in God’s presence and the centrality of that relationship. He says, “Your live is better than life.” That is some very wonderful love. Life itself doesn’t compare to God’s love. God’s love is like the Turkish Delight in the Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Nothing will stop Edmund from seeking it, even the betrayal of his siblings.
But God’s love leads to fidelity rather than betrayal. The experience of God’s love leads to worship. But it also leads to satisfaction! John Piper wrote, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” When our psalmist worshiped, he experienced a state he called “fully satisfied.” Like after a really delicious meal. Satisfied, unbuckle the top button, let out the belt, pull the lever on the Lazyboy satisfied.
When our focus in on Him, then we can glimpse the fulness of who God is, the breadth and depth of His love, the provision He has for His people. Our difficulties lose their pull, because our Provision is greater than all our need.
The writer sees the connection between abandonment in worship and satisfaction. I think this would be a good lesson for us to experience as well. So many things grab for our attention, pulling us in ever-increasing directions and all away from the LORD. Maybe it is time for us to surrender in worship and be satisfied in Him.
The Arnold Journey 