There’s an old rock song that goes, “I can’t get no satisfaction.”
And for many people, that’s their complaint as they go through life. They “try and try and try,” but nothing satisfies them. Everything they pursue in life ultimately leaves them empty.
But it’s not a new phenomenon. From the beginning of time, people have been vainly pursuing satisfaction in their lives, even in Isaiah’s day.
And so God told the people,
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. (Isaiah 55:1–3)
So many people will spend money on food, drink, and possessions, working murderous hours just to have enough to buy the things they want, thinking it will bring them satisfaction.
But here God says, “You’re wasting your money. You’re spending your time and money trying to get things that will never bring you satisfaction in life. But if you’ll listen to me, and take what I offer, you will find true satisfaction. And true life.”
Where is true satisfaction in life found? Isaiah answers,
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (6–7)
In other words, the one thing we need to pursue in life above all else is the Giver of life. Pursue God.
Turn away from your own ways, and repent of your sins. And when you do, not only will you find forgiveness, but you’ll find life.
So many people pursue their own way in life because they think it’ll bring them happiness. They want nothing to do with God’s way, because they think that it’ll only drag them down. That God is trying to take away the good things in life from them.
But God says,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:8–12)
What is God saying here? He’s saying, “You think that your thoughts and your ways are best. But my thoughts and my ways are much higher than yours. I can see and understand things you can’t.
And just as rain and snow water the earth making it bud and flourish, blessing those who live on it, so my word will accomplish what I desire in your life and the purpose I created you for.
All you have to do is to trust me and obey. When you do, not only will you be blessed, but so will everyone around you.”
What’s the end result of this kind of life? A life filled with joy and peace. A life that is truly satisfied.
How are you living? Are you pursuing things that are leaving you empty? You don’t have to. You can have true satisfaction in your life.
But true satisfaction will only come when you set aside your own agenda and your own pride, humble yourself, and say, “God I trust you. I choose to pursue you each and every day. And I will learn to do things your way as you teach and guide me.”
When you do so, you’ll find joy in your marriage, your relationships, your job, and your life.
What will you choose?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 