Recounting His Goodness

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” -Psalm 107:9

The Psalms are a wonderful reminder, over and over again, of the goodness of God and his supreme care for his people. They are not only historical songs but melodies for us today to remember and look forward to his goodness. In Christ, as believers in Jesus, these are our promises. This is our voice in unison singing of the gifts of God.

We know these gifts as the grace that justifies us and gives us an eternal place with God. We know these gifts as a cover of our sin and power to live different lives. We know these gifts as daily provision for our spiritual and physical lives. But do we know these gifts as satisfaction?

We are just fine believing that Jesus saves. But it should blow us away that Jesus also satisfies. The longings of our souls are met in Christ. The deepest part of who we are is known and fulfilled in our identity in Christ. We should be the most satisfied people on the planet,  fully experiencing the goodness of God in Christ.

Yet how often do we look to other, lesser things for satisfaction? Approval. Physicality. Wealth. But Jesus gives us something so much better and more satisfying; he gives us himself.

Today, turn to Jesus. Ask him to satisfy your soul as his word promises. Then set aside the lesser things and maintain a steady diet of the soul-filling goodness of Jesus.

Let's Be Exclusive

“Take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, “How did these nations serve their gods? — that I also may do the same.” You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.” -Deuteronomy 12:30–31 

God has promised to give his people a land, and in the getting of that gift, they will remove or encounter those who dwelled there before. He then tells his people to be careful not to pursue the forms of worship they come across, but instead worship Yahweh alone. 

God wants to be exclusive when it comes to our worship and obedience. Fast-forward to our day, far from the Promised Land, after plenty of examples of where Israel got it wrong. On this side of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God still desires and commands exclusivity. 

We cannot worship him while mingling in worship of other sorts. We cannot have multiple deities we bow down to. Jesus says there is no other way to the Father than through him, and this claim of exclusivity is to resonate in our ears for eternity. 

No other way. Only Jesus. That we would exclusively worship God. The good news is that Jesus has empowered us to do just that. He has given us entry to the holy hill, the place of worship, and he has actually, by his blood and the indwelling of his Spirit, made us the temple of God. In belief in him, we take care to maintain the temple, which is reserved only for God and we live to worship. 

Today is the day to set aside the subtle ways we allow little idols into our realm of worship. Review what takes your time and your thinking, and re-center it on Jesus, that you would exclusively worship him. Rejoice that he has called you to worship and given you reasons to do so.