Thinking About Satisfaction
Psalms 119:57-64
November 14, 2021
Tonight we are going to be “Thinking About Satisfaction”
Satisfaction has actually been a frequent topic of our discussions of late.
As we have studied Ecclesiastes on Sunday mornings
We have many times discussed that there are things that don’t satisfy.
• The preacher there continually uses phrases like “striving after wind” or “vanity”
• We called him the critic because he is weighing on all the allurements of life that simply do not satisfy.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 “I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines. Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.”
That pretty much sums it up.
In the words of Mic Jagger, “I just can’t get no satisfaction.”
Sooner or later that becomes the review
Of every single person who pursues the world.
• They either find that rather quickly in life due to the initial bitter taste of the world
• Or they find that later in life after they are left empty, like the preacher in Ecclesiastes.
• Or they find that in judgment when everything obtained in the world passes away and they are left with only judgment. Like that rich man in Hades who enjoyed good things in life but was left only with judgment.
But sooner or later every person who tastes the world
Learns that there is nothing in this world that satisfies.
The true blessing comes when you find what really does satisfy,
And that is Christ.
C.S. Lewis spoke of that “God-shaped hole” in the heart of every man that only God can fill.
There is true satisfaction in no one else.
Only in Christ do you find what is true and real and sufficient
And all-satisfying.
THE LAST TIME we studied this stanza we called it “When God is Your Portion” and honestly there is no reason to depart from that.
TONIGHT we just want to talk more about that same idea.
Tonight we think about it a little more, and I want to make this point.
Satisfaction in God should be
The defining difference between the world and the church.
This is where the main difference should be most readily observed.
• While the world is constantly pursuing the things of this world to be satisfied,
• It should be obvious that the church has found satisfaction in Christ.
We say that Jesus is “the life”.
We say that “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men”
We say that those who believe in Him will have “the light of life”
We say that if He is “the bread from heaven”
And by believing in Him we “never hunger or never thirst”
We say that from Him “flow rivers of living water”
We say that those who believe in Him “will live even if he dies”
We say that His followers have “life abundant”
We say that in Him we have “eternal life”
If there is then one thing that should distinguish us from the world
It should be that we have found total satisfaction in Christ.
SO LET ME SAY IT AGAIN:
Satisfaction in God should be the defining difference
Between the world and the church.
And there are A COUPLE OF PASSAGES I want to go to before we walk through this stanza again just to show you that this is the expectation.
Let’s start in the Old Testament.
• 1 Passage has sort of risen to the top throughout history as sort of the pinnacle passage on satisfaction in God.
Psalms 23 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
That is a song of a satisfied sheep.
He says, “I shall not want”
In my Shepherd I have everything I need and want.
• I have provision
• I have restoration of soul
• I have righteousness
• I have protection
• I have comfort
• I have victory
• I have anointing
• I have hope
I need for nothing.
And if we go to the New Testament and look at the redeemed people of God we see this reality so clearly.
Acts 4:42-47 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
The very passions and desires of the early church
Speak to their ultimate satisfaction with Christ.
They saw no need to deviate.
There was no other allurement.
They had no need of worldly wealth.
You don’t see them finding a million and one other things
They could do instead of going to church.
Nothing else was going to bring them satisfaction
Like the worship of God among the saints.
And this greatly distinguished them from the world in which they live.
This SHOULD BE THE DISTINGUISHING MARK of God’s people.
We hear Asaph:
Psalms 73:25 “Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.”
We listen to Paul:
Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,”
We read of Abraham:
Hebrews 11:9-10 “By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
We read of Moses:
Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”
This is the distinguishing mark of the redeemed.
• They have forsaken this world…
• They have gained Christ…
• AND THEY ARE MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH THEIR DECISION!
We think of Peter, as he watched the multitude turn away from Christ
After Christ refused to give them more bread.
John 6:66-69 “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
I hope you see what I’m talking about.
The church are those who are satisfied with Christ.
Well TONIGHT I want to give you another picture of a satisfied customer.
He actually starts by saying:
(57) “The LORD is my portion;”
This could reference a number of things:
• Maybe he is referencing how the first born son received a double portion.
• Maybe he is referencing how the Levites received no land because the Lord was their portion.
• Maybe he is simply referring to how he is a stranger in the world.
Whatever he means at the very least he understands
That HIS TOTAL INHERITANCE and all that he is receiving is “the LORD”
SO LET’S IMAGINE THE SCENE FOR A MOMENT.
Perhaps your parents are rich; totally loaded
And one day they pass away and it’s time to go for the opening of the will.
• One person gets the land…
• Someone else gets the house…
• Someone gets the cars…
• Someone gets the vacation homes…
Finally it comes to you and the executer of the will says, “You receive no earthly possessions, all that has been left to you is “The LORD”
You have not received anything in this life.
But you get a relationship with God.
That is what this Psalmist has just announced.
THE QUESTION IS, “Are you disappointed?”
• As your brother drives away in the car.
• As your sister moves into the house.
• As your cousins go to the vacation home.
• As your aunts and uncles take the money.
You walk away with nothing but God.
Are you satisfied?
That’s what we are looking at here in regard to this Psalmist.
Now, we also find that the LORD being his “portion”
COMES WITH AN EXPECTATION.
“I have promised to keep Your words”
In that sense it is much like the priestly tribe who received no land,
But who were allowed to dwell closer to God than any other tribe
And carried the added responsibility of owning God’s Law.
That is where our Psalmist is.
He doesn’t have anything but God.
But BEFORE WE SEE how satisfied he is with this,
We first need to backtrack a little and
LOOK AT HOW THIS ARRANGEMENT CAME TO PASS.
See, the reading of this will WASN’T A SURPRISE to him.
He already knew that this is what he was getting.
IN FACT, THERE WAS A TIME IN THE PAST
WHERE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HE ASKED FOR.
If you read verses 58-60
• You notice that all the verbs are past tense.
• He is going to tell you about a time in the past
• Where he made the decision to forsake it all that he might gain Christ.
(58-60) “I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies. I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments.”
He is talking about a time when he made the decision
That all he really wanted was the favor of God.
He just wanted the nearness of God.
He says, “I sought Your favor with all my heart”
THIS DECISION IS THE ESSENCE OF SALVATION
(this is what happens when you get saved)
I want you to think of all the hymns and songs
Which have been inspired by this very sentiment.
Martin Luther:
“Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.”
Isaac Watts:
“Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood…Where the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing; so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Fanny Crosby
“Take the world, but give me Jesus, All its joys are but a name, But His love abides forever, Through eternal years the same. Take the world, but give me Jesus, Sweetest comfort of my soul, With my Savior watching o’er me, I can sing though billows roll. Take the world, but give me Jesus, In His cross my trust shall be, Till with clearer, brighter vision, Face to face my Lord I see”
George Beverly Shea
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold, I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land, I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause, I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause, I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame, Yes, I’d rather be true to His holy name. Than to be the king of a vast domain And be held in sin’s dread sway, I’d rather have Jesus than anything, This world affords today.
Jordan Kauflin
“Hallelujah! All I have is Christ! Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!”
It is a constant of Christianity throughout the ages
To do exactly what this Psalmist did.
To let go of worldly pursuits and treasures
And to seek God’s favor with all our heart.
• It is what Peter and Andrew were doing when they left their nets.
• It is what James and John were doing when they left their father.
• It is what Matthew was doing when he left his tax booth.
• It is what Zacchaeus did when he returned the money.
The Psalmist pursued God.
HE CAME TO THE REALIZATION THAT GOD WAS ALL HE NEEDED.
And he was committed to seek God even to the loss of everything else.
He also understood that
He would only achieve this favor by God’s grace.
“Be gracious to me according to Your word.”
He knew he didn’t deserve the favor of God,
But he pleaded that by grace he might have it.
He says, “I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.”
This is a man who is serious in his pursuit.
I started looking at the things in my life that might disappoint you
And I repented.
I turned my feet away from them.
I “turned my feet to Your testimonies.”
I WANTED YOUR FAVOR.
Again, this is the very reality of salvation.
We repent of our sin.
We leave this life.
Those who want Christ
Are happy to leave behind whatever must be left if they can have him.
Those who want Christ
Have found a treasure in a field and though it costs them everything they must have that field.
Those who want Christ
Have found a pearl of great value, and though it cost them everything they must have that pearl.
• They’ll leave houses and lands
• They’ll leave father and mother
• They’ll leave brother and sister
• They’ll leave business and pleasure
• They’ll leave their reputation
They just want Christ no matter the cost.
(That is true Christianity)
THAT WAS THE PSALMIST.
And notice his URGENCY.
“I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”
• There was no hesitation…
• There was no debate…
• There was eagerness!
For the last 150 years the “altar call” or public invitation
Has sort of been the norm in the Baptist Church.
I’m not a huge fan, though we do it here.
We’ve all seen those long drawn out manipulative and gimmicky type invitations where preachers beg and plead with sinners to walk the aisle.
I just don’t do that.
If you have just heard about a Savior
• Who will forgive your sin and clothe you in His righteousness and satisfy your
debt before holy God…
• Who will freely justify you and redeem you if you will simply trust in Him and
confess Him before men…
Then I shouldn’t have to beg and plead with you to give your life to Christ
As though I were trying to get you to come
And get a root canal or something.
When the opportunity is available you shouldn’t have to be coerced.
You ought to fly out of your seat at the first opportunity.
Like the hemorrhaging woman you ought to fight through the crowd to get to Jesus…
THAT WAS THIS PSALMIST.
• He learned of a Savior!
• He learned of a Redeemer!
AND HE WANTED HIM BAD!
• He repented of his sin
• He ran to Christ
• He sought whatever he might do to gain Him
“Take this world, but give me Jesus!” He cried.
That we see.
THAT HAPPENED IN HIS LIFE IN THE PAST.
What we are examining now is: WAS IT WORTH IT?
Now that He gained Christ, but lost the world, is he satisfied?
He got what he wanted.
“The LORD is my portion”
Is he happy with his decision?
AND NOTICE THAT plenty of people have tried to offer him a way out.
There have been plenty that have said, “For crying out loud, let go of your grip on Christ and here, have a piece of the world!”
(61) “The cords of the wicked have encircled me”
That is what we call temptation.
• “Turn these stones into bread…”
• “Throw yourself off the temple…”
• “Bow down and worship me and all these kingdoms will be Yours…”
The world throws them at us too.
• Come away with me and have a little fun.
• Surely Jesus can’t be all satisfying.
• Our world is filled with such temptations.
And the grievous thing is how successful their cords have been!
LOOK AT WORSHIP SERVICES TODAY.
1. First there is the issue of dropping attendance (many even cancel Sunday
nights)
2. Look at how churches have had to shift to entertainment to keep people
interested
It pops up on my memories from time to time, but I love the quote from Vanessa Baxter on the TV Show “Last Man Standing” when here husband was bothered because church was so boring.
She said, “I’m sorry the reverend wasn’t entertaining enough for you today. Maybe he should juggle while he’s trying to save your soul from the fiery pits of hell.”
We’ve seen just that.
People are bored, they don’t want to go,
They’ve got other things to do on Sunday night.
How far a cry is it from the passion of the early church?
Acts 2:46 “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,”
WHAT ABOUT DAILY PRIVATE DEVOTION?
Is there a desire to daily study God’s word?
• But in the morning emails and social media and weather reports are calling
• And in the evening there are all sorts of other distractions and entertainments.
I’m not saying a Christian can’t look at social media or watch a television program, but do those things take priority over God’s word?
The question is: WHERE IS YOUR SATISFACTION?
Well the Psalmist was tempted and look at what he said:
(61) “The cords of wickedness have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law.”
I’m not buying what they’re selling!
He would echo the response of the Savior:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.”
He doesn’t need the world anymore.
He is satisfied with Christ.
And then look at this!
(62) “At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Our righteous ordinances.”
• When our world really wants to talk about having a good time, it is characterized as “Night Life”
• Young people want to be in a city where there is a good “Night Life”
• Where the bars and hangouts and dance clubs don’t even really start hopping good until MIDNIGHT.
At night, under the cover of darkness is when the world really wants to let loose.
• That is when they party!
• That is when they gratify those sinful impulses!
• That is when they go seeking satisfaction.
But the Psalmist is totally disinterested.
If I’m up at midnight, it’s not to party with the world:
“At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances.”
This isn’t some frustrated commitment.
This isn’t some woeful duty.
This is what he’d rather do!
There is no lasting satisfaction to be found at the club,
But the satisfaction of communing with God in His word
Is totally fulfilling.
AND SO
• When he is alone, he loves God’s word.
And when he arises and enters the world,
• He doesn’t need to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.
• He doesn’t need to hang out with the popular.
(63) “I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.”
I don’t need to run in the cool circle,
I just want to be around those who love You.
Look at this!
He can’t imagine going anywhere better than going to church.
Isn’t that something!
• What celebrity concert?
• What sporting event?
• What worldly gathering?
In his mind none of those things could ever offer as much satisfaction as time spent among those who fear and love God?
He just wants to be with those who love God.
That is his satisfaction.
So let’s pause right there and ask the question:
DOES HE REGRET IT?
When the inheritance was divvied out, he got nothing but God.
Was he disappointed?
NOT IN THE LEAST!
That’s all he wanted.
And then look at his FINAL STATEMENT of ultimate satisfaction.
(64) “The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.”
• Does that sound like the statement of a dissatisfied man?
• Does that sound like the appraisal who has received the short end of the stick?
Not at all.
That is a satisfied man.
• God’s goodness is everywhere!
• God’s loyalty is everywhere!
It is the wording of David in the 23rd Psalm:
• “I shall not want”
• “I laying down in green pastures”
• “I walking beside quiet waters”
• “My head is anointed with oil”
• “My cup runneth over”
• “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
HE IS NOT DISSATISFIED.
He has God and God is more than enough,
So much so that he has no desire whatsoever
To run back to the futile promises of the world.
We read in Ecclesiastes about how all the promises of the world
Are “Vanity” and “Striving after wind”
But you NEVER FIND THOSE PHRASES USED
To describe the promises or blessings of God.
Those who follow God are satisfied.
John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Romans 10:11 “For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
Ephesians 1:18-19a “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”
And we don’t even have to walk all the way through Ephesians 1
And look at all those blessings which are found “in Him”
But think about what we receive from God that the world can never offer.
What does the Bible say about the GRACE we receive from God?
2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…”
What does the Bible say about the MERCY we receive from God?
Lamentations 3:22-23 “The LORD’S mercies indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
What does the Bible say about the LOVE OF GOD?
1 Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails…”
What does the Bible say about the JOY OF GOD?
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
What does the Bible say about the PEACE OF GOD?
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension…”
What does the Bible say about the HOPE OF GOD?
Romans 5:5 “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Sufficient, New, Unfailing, Complete,
Surpassing Comprehension, Doesn’t disappoint
• Name me anything in the world that is sufficient
• Name me anything the world that is new every morning
• Name me anything in the world that is unfailing
• Name me anything in the world that complete
• Name me anything in the world that surpasses comprehension
• Name me anything in the world that never disappoints
Do you see the satisfaction that is found in God?
And I’ll return to it one more time.
Satisfaction in God should be the defining difference
Between the world and the church.
Now, I COULD ask you:
ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH JESUS?
But that would be a cop-out for certainly everyone in church would answer yes.
INSTEAD what we will do is look one more time
At what the life of a truly satisfied person looks like
And you can answer for yourself if that is you or not.
The Psalmist here gives 5 characteristics
Of a person who is truly satisfied with Christ.
I’ll just list them for you and you can use them to evaluate your life.
1) THEY RESIST TEMPTATION
(61) “The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law.”
John Piper once said, “Sin is what we do when we are not satisfied with God.”
That’s true, those who are satisfied with God
Don’t need the empty offers of the world to be satisfied.
2) THEY PREFER WORSHIP TO WORLDLINESS
(62) “At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances.”
While the world would rise to enjoy the nightlife
The one who is satisfied with God
Finds all the joy he needs in fellowship with God.
3) THEY DELIGHT IN FELLOWSHIP WITH BELIEVERS
(63) “I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.”
Communing with the saints is not a burden, it is a delight.
He doesn’t need the recognition of the world,
Only the fellowship of fellow believers.
4) THEY RECOGNIZE GOD’S BLESSING EVERYWHERE
(64a) “The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;”
Their glass isn’t half-empty.
Following God has not resulted in privation.
Their cup is running over, they see blessing everywhere.
“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside”
5) THEY HUNGER FOR MORE
(64b) “…Teach me Your statutes.”
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me”
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word which proceeds from the mouth of God”
They simply want more of God.
And there are so many passages and pictures that we could look at to continue making this point.
• But rather it is Old Testament saints like Abraham or Moses or Asaph or this Psalmist…
• Or rather it was New Testament saints like Paul or Peter or the Early Church…
• Or rather it was hymn writers throughout the ages…
Do you see that distinguishing characteristic of the church is that they are satisfied with Christ alone?
We will never convince the world that Jesus is enough
If we are constantly pursuing the same things they pursue.
Our pursuit must be different…
• There must be a priority to our worship.
• There must be a preference to our fellowship.
• There must be an abstaining from the things they call fun.
Otherwise all we are doing is telling them that Jesus is optional.
We would be like that guy at the reading of the will who received only Jesus but then walked away angry because he didn’t also get the car.
Are you satisfied with Jesus?