Satisfied

By |Published On: April 2, 2018|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

I love the way a hymn speaks to the heart of the gospel, just like this beautiful old one does.

All my life long I have panted
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench my longing
Of the thirst I felt within.
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His blood I now am saved.*

Okay, you may not have known that old hymn; it’s probably not familiar to you, but I kind of threw it in here because I sure do like it. I like it so much, really aren’t the words great? Because sometimes we don’t even know what we’re hungry and thirsty for – like children who are malnourished, we have no inkling that we need food – or even water; we know we don’t need food. But blessed are those who at least realize, who recognize, that their souls are parched for the living water and hungry for the Bread of Life. And once we acknowledge that, then we can begin to pursue righteousness; seeking after Jesus, working on our souls. And then, just like a starving child who eats just a little, after a while, oh my goodness, that child is famished; he feels hungry.

And in the same way, after we begin tending to our soul’s lack of spiritual nourishment, just starting off feeding on God’s word, and just drinking in a bit his presence in prayer, oh my, then we begin to genuinely feel our need. Before, we knew it — someone pointed out our spiritual lack, or we saw our Bible collecting dust, or realized we stopped praying on a regular basis. We knew it, but once we taste of God’s presence in prayer and Bible reading, we actually start to hunger and thirst after his righteousness. Then, no one has to point it out to us… we know it. We know how hungry we are. And wild horses can’t stop us from seeking the Lord through the Bible and in prayer. And then we can echo the words to this beautiful hymn, “Hallelujah, I have found him whom my soul so long has craved; Jesus satisfies my longings, through his blood I now am saved.”

This year I’ve been given to keep meditating on the first part of Hebrews Chapter 12. Because for me, it just keeps me on the edge of my hunger and thirst for Jesus. Because since we’ve been surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us put aside everything, everything that entangles and the sin which so easily hinders us (got that? It’s pretty important) let’s lay aside the sin, and let us run with endurance the race that has been set out for us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured His cross. Let’s consider Him who persevered through such awful opposition by sinful men so that we might not (I love this part) become weary or lose heart.

Friend, today if you are feeling weary, or if you’re on the verge of losing heart, challenge your soul this season; join me on this adventure of Hebrews Chapter 12. Because if you follow its lead, your hunger and thirst will be satisfied, just as today’s song reminds us. Until next time on Joni and Friends, this is Joni Eareckson Tada.

*Music: “Satisfied” by Clara Teare Williams; Public Domain.

Previously aired on 04/08/2010 as Program #7289

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