sawadie thai news: 2012

What are you hungry for? Does it satisfy? God’s “forever invitation” still stands.

In the “Confessions of a Christian Hedonist”, John Piper writes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him; We are most satisfied in Him when He is most glorified in us.”

It’s a very clever adage, at least. It is probably also profoundly wise. It is definitely difficult.
Oh, it’s easy to say…”Jesus alone is my Lord,” but in a world with so many options, it’s difficult to “get singular”. In a world that demands new priorities, it’s tough to pick just one. In a world that promises multiple sources of satisfaction, it is a challenge to believe one is enough. In a world full of idols, it is difficult to love one thing with my whole heart.
The writer of some of the Psalms must have understood the need for this priority – being satisfied in God alone:
Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
Psalm 73:25-26 – “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
I guess my question is, “What will it take for me to arrive at that point?”
How long will that “one-thing” attitude take? Is it even possible? What price will I be required to pay for a “double-loyalty”, a distracted heart?
I long for the heart expressed in the words of this poetry:

All my life I had panted for a drink from some clear 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.

Hallelujah! I have found Him Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings, through His blood I now am saved.

What are you hungry for? Does it satisfy? God’s “forever invitation” still stands.
Isaiah 55:1-3 – “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.”