How often has the reader, in the midst of the busy day, been approached to "give a few minutes" of their time to complete a "Customer Satisfaction Survey"? The questions are of the multiple-choice variety where the answer is usually one of three or four: "Are you dissatisfied, satisfied, very satisfied, or completely satisfied?". Rarely are we completely satisfied because there is always something that could be done to improve service.
The believer, however, has blessings to enjoy that do not fall short in any way. Expectations are never disappointed. When the manna was given the Children of Israel ate of the quails, but in the morning they were filled with the manna (Ex 16.12), given so bountifully that the Lord stated that He would "rain bread from heaven" (v.4). When five thousand were fed "they did all eat, and were filled" (Mk 6.42). No one left that day suffering pangs of hunger.
David knew what it was to be completely satisfied with his God and expressed this so eloquently. "We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple" (Ps 65.4). Those who have the privilege of drawing near to God and who dwell in His courts are never disappointed. The beauty, the holiness, and the fragrance of the house are unique. Nothing on earth can equal or surpass it. Truly, "a day in thy courts is better than a thousand" (Ps 84.10). Do we value the privilege of prayer and seek to spend some time in His presence enjoying the beauty of the house? The adversary is always busy in seeking to rob us of this joy. Let us enjoy being satisfied with its beauty.
But not only did David find satisfaction in the "goodness of thy house", he also declared, "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house" (Ps 36.8). The word "satisfied" has the meaning of being sated, of being drenched. It therefore indicates a state of total satisfaction. The word "fatness" bears the thought of "the 'fatty ashes' left after the burning of sacrificial animals" (TWOT 457). What the Psalmist has in mind is the eating of the sacrificial meal such as the peace offering that was partaken of by Jehovah (the part that was laid on the altar), by the priests, and by the offerer. As they fed on this they were feeding on what symbolised the Lord. We will be satisfied as we enjoy feeding on Him. Only in this way can the hunger of the soul be met, and, just as natural food is necessary daily, so is spiritual food that will nourish our souls. When that is enjoyed, again there will be complete satisfaction. The needs of the soul can me met in no other way than feasting on Him from the Scriptures.
Yet there is more. Again from the pen of David, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" (Ps 17.15). He does not use the plural "we" or "they". Here it is "I". He will not be alone in this, but what a wonder he feels that he has a prospect that is glorious. If the Lord never disappoints us while we are pilgrims here, neither will He at the end of the journey. In the beginning man was made in the "image of God" (Gen 1.27) and sin marred that dreadfully. One day, however, we who "have borne the image of the earthy…shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Cor 15.49). The joyful anticipation is that "this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (v.53). Little wonder that David stated that he would be satisfied. Once again there will be no unfilled expectations; there will be superabundant glory. The reality will be far beyond anything our minds can comprehend today. That spiritual body will enable us to enjoy heights as yet unknown, to worship in a manner to which we cannot rise now, to feast on the beauties and glories of the Lord far beyond us today. On that day we will be able to declare that we are satisfied completely, that all is joy, that there is no unmet need, and that in Him we found all that we needed in time and all that we need for a joyful eternity.
Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me;
There's love, and life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee.
