Psalm 104:28

When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are satisfied.

In this Psalm, the writer (who isn’t David) is speaking about the creatures that God has made and how they are in awe of the Lord their Creator.  The thing that caught my eye was the word “satisfied.”  They are satisfied with what they are given to eat.  They don’t ask for more or turn up their nose because it’s not what they wanted or as good as they wanted.  They are satisfied with what God gives them.

Dictionary.com defines to satisfy as: to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of; to put an end to (a desire, want, need, etc.) by sufficient or ample provision.  Ample provision.  That’s what we all want.  It’s what God does.  The reason we don’t always act satisfied is that God’s ways aren’t our ways.  Our ways tend to be bigger and more and shinier.  God’s ways tend to be more subtle (sometimes), gentler, and with thought to what is best for our souls.  He opens his hands and fulfills those needs sufficiently or amply.  The creatures He created know that, and they rest satisfied (a.k.a. content).  They don’t ask God why He didn’t give them more or why it wasn’t shinier or a different color.  They’re content with His provision.

Wow, I wonder how often I DON’T do this.  I think God answers my prayers a lot, but because it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for or wanting, I’m not satisfied and think that surely it can’t be His answer.  I ask for provision, and I have enough to buy groceries.  But I want enough to live in my own place instead of with a parent.  I ask for healing, and I see small improvements over time.  But I want a miracle.  Now.  I want things on my schedule, in my way.  It doesn’t work that way.  Maybe if I could be more content (satisfied) with the things God has given me, then He’d let me move on from this place.  But that’s really hard for me.  I’m selfish and, to some degree, self-centered.  It’s hard to take what I have and be glad about it when I want more.

God, I need help with this.  Help me to remember to be satisfied by what Your hand gives instead of turning my nose up at it if it’s not what I was expecting.  Bring this verse to mind when I’m tempted to wallow in self-pity about the situation I’m in or when I’m dreaming about more and bigger.  You know the desires of my heart.  Please help me to rest in the knowledge that Your ways are best and Your plans are perfect.  Thank you for all the many ways you provide for me and answer me already.  Amen.

Ecclesiastes 1: 8

Everything is so weary and tiresome! No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

I was listening to the radio (Z88.3) and there was a clip by Joyce Meyer (I think).  I didn’t really catch what the clip was about, but one thing grabbed my attention.  She said that we should learn to be content with less instead of always trying to get more.  Of course, that hit my heart.  I so often find myself trying to make more or get more and throughout this struggle God’s continually impressing things on me….  most recently reminding me that I should learn to be content with what I have, with less, rather than struggling to try and do more to get more.  This isn’t the first time He’s reminded me of this, either.   It’s hard to remember, especially when things are uncertain and life’s expenses take their toll on the budget.  And especially around Christmas when it’s so easy to want to do more for people.

So, I am reminded.  No matter what prospects are on the distant horizon, I need to learn to be content where I am and with what I have.  God has blessed me with so much, and He has so faithfully provided for our needs, just like He promised.