By:
Edited By W. T. P. Wolston.
ARE you satisfied, really satisfied, with your life, is a question frequently asked. People think that wealth and a certain position in life must ensure satisfaction. The fallacy of this is easily proved from the Word itself. Haman, amid all the luxury of a Persian court, and occupying a high position as the monarch’s favorite, could not hide his chagrin and vexation so long as Mordecai the Jew sat at the king’s gate.
Ahab, in spite of his extensive dominion, is not satisfied, but must covet Naboth’s vineyard. Eve, amid all the splendid luxuriance of the Garden of Eden, is not satisfied, but must take of the forbidden fruit. In the hearts of the fallen angels there rise up pride and rebellion against God, and they are cast out of heaven.
Haman in the court is not satisfied; Ahab on the throne is not satisfied; Eve in the Garden of Eden is not satisfied; the fallen angels in heaven are not satisfied. One of the most learned of Germany’s scientists at the close of a long and weary life said, “I have been deemed (and I think justly) one of fortune’s favorites, yet in the course of my whole life I have only known three weeks’ real happiness.” When in conversation once with one of the now despised Jews―though a successful man in business―he made this sad remark, “I have not known pleasure since I was a child.” Solomon, the wisest of men, says, “I gave my heart to know wisdom... this also is vexation of spirit” (Eccl. 1:1717And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 1:17)).
Do you think that the eagles in the Zoological Gardens, beating their wings against the bars of their cages, can be satisfied while their natural instinct leads them to pierce the snowy clouds, and while they remember their aerial flights upwards towards the sky? Can they be satisfied apart from freedom?
Neither can the soul of man be satisfied apart from God. In the hearts of most, though it may be deeply hidden, there is an intense craving after something altogether beyond the things of this world, and to still this longing some drink deeply of the stream of wealth or pleasure. Jesus says, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst” (John 4:13,1413Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13‑14)).
Come, then, to Jesus. “He satisfies the longing soul. “He can fully satisfy. You will never be disappointed in Him. A dear old saint once said,” I have found in Christ more than I expected to want.”
On that last great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:3737In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37)). “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)).
These are His own gracious words. Rest and satisfaction can only be found in Him. Come, then, “without money and without price.” The price has been paid, even with the precious life-blood of the Lord of Glory. He paid the debt, and God is infinitely satisfied. No word or work of yours could add to that satisfaction. God in. His tender mercy still lingers over this guilty world, but the day of grace will soon be over—may close at any moment. Then do not rest until you can say―
“God is satisfied with Jesus,
I am satisfied as well.”
M. W.
IT is only as the heart is in fresh communion with the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ that there is real love to the brethren. The children of a family are not found together because born of one father and mother. If the tender mother, the beloved father be gone, the power that kept them together is gone from among them. So with regard to fellowship with the Father and the Son, if that be not maintained with all freshness, love to the brethren fails.
G. V. W.