Recently, our pastor spoke on 2 Samuel 12 – the story of King David as he was confronted by the prophet, Nathan, regarding his sin; first with Bathsheba and then in arranging the death of her husband, Uriah. Nathan was kind and gentle as he told the story of the rich man and the poor man and their sheep. David’s reaction was one of anger and judgment, not realizing that Nathan was actually speaking of David’s own life and his recent choices and actions.
At the end of the service, our pastor, as he often does, turned the microphones over to us and asked, “What did you hear today?” (Pastor Ted believes that we learn more from each other vs. his lectures to us.) Several folks commented during this sharing time; then a sister suggested that it seemed David acted on an unfulfilled need. Instead of taking it to God, he attempted to satisfy and fill this need on his own. As we know, one thing led to another as things went from bad to worse.
This sister’s feedback made an impact on my heart. I thought of how often I do that very thing in trying to fill my own felt needs instead of taking them to my Savior. Almost instantly these words from the gospel song “Satisfied,” flooded my heart:
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His blood I now am saved.
All my life long I had panted.
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
The author of this song, Clara T. Williams, wrote these words in 1875 when she was just 17, in response to a request by Ralph E. Hudson, a professor of music at Mount Vernon College in Ohio. He wanted a poem for a book he was having published. He also composed the music for lyrics provided.
Seems time and time again, we find we need to re-learn the same lesson – that He is our Provider. That God alone owns all the resources needed to satisfy every one of our felt needs. And that, regardless of the noise around us, is He is not enough?
In the New Testament, in the parable of the prodigal son, we read of husks. A young man who left his father’s house disgruntled, came to the end of himself and ended up wallowing with the pigs and longing to eat what they ate. When I think of husks today that we may be feeding on, I think of empty calories. I think of chasing multi-colored bubbles that glitter and sway until you catch them, and then they burst leaving you with a handful of soapy water.
I also think of the world we live in. I am reminded of a story I heard where someone was asked, how much do you need to feel you have enough? The answer was, “Just a little bit more.” In other words, our thirst is never quenched – be it food, be it rest, be it money, a paycheck, time away, etc. The fact is, we must eat to live – one meal will not sustain our physical hunger. Just as one time in church will not sustain our soul hunger.
We are bombarded on every side with ads and promises of a better this and a faster that; a smoother this and a smarter that. We are reminded again and again that we ‘need’ these things; in fact, we DESERVE them. After all, not only do we work hard but we deal with stress and never-ending demands from others. So, don’t we deserve to reward ourselves?
Perhaps, if we just took better care of our own selves in every area, we would not so easily succumb to these glittering quick fix delights that surround us. They call this self-care in today’s world. To make sure our own basic needs are met. For we need to eat again and again to keep our bodies strong and alive and functioning. We need to commune with God and consume His word over and over to keep our souls strong and growing and alive. And we need to fellowship with one another to keep our spirits active and alive and growing.
Our God is one who does not fail. We must go to Him with our needs and requests, with our concerns, desires, and longings. Otherwise, we will succumb to the husks of the world around us. And so, with time and experience, we learn to rest in the knowledge and assurance that Jesus is truly enough. Then we can then sing this chorus from our hearts with complete conviction and meaning!
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His blood I now am saved.