How To Satisfy What Can't Be Satisfied

There are some portions of my Bible that look like I was working on an art project. There is highlighter everywhere! Psalm 63 is one of those chapters. It is so rich, raw, and honest. David doesn’t hold back in this Psalm. It is full of such depth that it deserves more than just a “glance over” reading. What makes this Psalm even more unique is the context in which it was written. What was going on in David’s life when he wrote this psalm?

Many believe David wrote this psalm when he was fleeing from Absalom. Absalom had enacted a subtle plan to turn the people’s heart away from King David and over to him. Absalom slowly poisoned the people’s ears with falsehood and flattery for 4 years before he boldly went for the throne (2 Samuel 15). Talk about patience! However what is even more traumatic about this situation is that, Absalom is David’s son. His enemy wasn’t some unknown defector. His enemy came from his own house!

When Psalm 63 comes to fruition, David is back in the wilderness. He’s being hunted again just like he was as a young man by King Saul. Again he is the rightful king but, someone wants to gain or retain power. Same jealousy. Different players. Though there’s so much to highlight in this portion of text, what grabbed me this morning was verses 1 and 5.

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

King David is in the wilderness and in an actual situation where he has no provisions. He didn’t have a long time to flee, pack, or come up with a detailed plan. It was “Absalom is coming to kill you! Run!” We also know he had a lack of provision because in 2 Samuel 16 Ziba a servant of Mephibosheth, came to bring him food and transportation. David’s physical body is hungry. His mouth is dry. His body is tired. Nevertheless despite his physical needs, David understands his spiritual needs. He has lived long enough and experienced enough to realize some universal spiritual truths. One is that, feeding the body or flesh, will never satisfy a hunger in our spirt.

David had the wisdom to understand that food isn’t what he needed, God is what he needed. God satisfies us in a way that food can never even come close to. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He talked to her about this very thing. John 4:13-14 says, “Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

‭‭Food feeds our body temporarily. God feeds AND satisfies our spirit.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand addiction is a real problem in this country. People are trying to feed their habits, feed their hunger, feed their vices but again, it’s temporary. They have to do it again and again often at the detriment to other areas of their lives. They are trying to feed a “hunger and thirst” for their body and flesh that only God can truly fill. This is because when God fills the void the void is no more! When we substitute the void for anything other than God it will return and often stronger and bigger than before.

Let’s revisit Psalm 63:5. “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Essentially what’s the point of living like and eating like a king if I don’t have You? This feast will eventually be over. What I don’t consume will spoil. What I do consume will be digested and I’ll need to feast again. Yet, feasting on God feeds me more than all the luxuries being a king entitles me to. A thousand feasts don’t hold a yam or turkey leg to God! (couldn’t resist)

In all seriousness, we need to get this concept that God satisfies our hunger. There have been times I felt like I was starving. I eat but, quickly feel like I need to eat again. So I eat again. The hungers still there. Sooner than I realize, I’m overeating. What I needed to do was stop and think. Stop and pray. Does my spirit need to be fed? If it’s my spirit, no amount of food will quench that. Only God will satisfy it. David despite his very real life or death circumstances, got this concept. Feeding the flesh will never satisfy a hunger in our spirt. What I truly need is God right now.

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