Merriam- Webster Dictionary defines satisfaction as the payment through penance of the temporal punishment incurred by a sin, reparation for sin that meets the demands of divine justice. The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language 5th Edition defines it in 3 ways:
The fulfillment or gratification of a desire, need, or appetite.
Pleasure or contentment derived from such gratification.
An instance of being satisfied or a source of gratification.
You've guessed it satisfaction is what we are talking about in this post. We have seen what it means, next we will see what the Bible says about it and how it ties into rest.
In Psalms 107:9 NASB we see where true satisfaction comes from; "For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." Are you satisfying your needs with what God has to offer or are you looking to the world for a temporary fix? Instant gratification is something everyone wants, especially today. The culture ingrains it within us and we all have given into those desires. The problem with instant gratification is it can come with remorse and regret after the fact, hence the term "buyers remorse". So then we are stuck with what we have satisfied our desires with and the consequences of our actions. It should be our goal to forego the instant and hang onto to the true satisfaction that only comes from God. John 14:27 says, " Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, nor let it be fearful." I know this verse is talking about peace, and we will get into peace in a later post, but it establishes the fact that what God gives is different from the world.
Isaiah 58:11 shows us it's not just a one time thing. "And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." This verse has some amazing things in it. First, the promise to direct us in the paths which we should go. Second, we can be satisfied in places where satisfaction seems impossible. Thirdly, He will provide us with healing and strength. Fourth, it says we will be like a watered garden meaning we shall produce fruit, which provides us with sustainability for ourselves and others. Fifth, a spring whose waters do not fail. We shall bring life to those around us. John 7:38 says, "He who believes in Me , as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'" From these Scriptures we learn that in God's direction we can be renewed, rested, and satisfied for the purpose of sustaining others. We see in James 4:3 that even our prayers should be that we can be a blessing and further the Kingdom. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
We must remember if you are walking in satisfaction, where that blessing came from. James 1:17 reads, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow." He is our all sufficient One! Psalms 36:7-9 puts it this way. "How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings. 8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Thy house; and Thou dost give them to drink of the river of Thy delights. 9 For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light we see light." We must never forget whom our source is in. In that alone comes rest and satisfaction. God bless!