Discovering satisfaction in doing the will of God
Sermon by J.K. Townsley
Paraphrased by Sherry Collins
Scripture Text: Isaiah 55:1-2
We all take delight in something. For some it’s the simple while for others it’s the complex. Some delight in food while others delight in exercise. Some take pleasure in possessions, others enjoy being possessed. Some delights are moral, honorable, spiritual and good, and there are others that are immoral dishonest, twisted and evil.
In 1992 Lady Sarah Graham Moon, fifty-five years old at the time, was dumped by her British aristocrat husband. She sought to get even with her unfaithful spouse, and did so with a passion. First of all, she poured gallons of paint on his cherished BMW while it was parked in his girlfriend’s driveway. Then she went on to cut four inches off the left sleeve on thirty two of his custom-tailored Seville Row suits (about $1600 each). Later she gave away sixty bottles of his finest wine. One lady wrote to her, to share how she cleaned the toilet with her unfaithful husband’s toothbrush, then watched in delight as he brushed his teeth with it. These women delighted in their revenge.
While we may delight in many things, it is important to know what our soul delights in. Delight means great gratification or pleasure. The prefix “de” means completely. We may delight in many things, but what is it that pleases us completely? That one thing that never disappoints us or lets us down? That is never unfair or inconsistent?
The search for something to satisfy and fulfill is the oldest search of mankind. We fill our lives with “stuff” hoping that it will be our souls’ delight, yet the soul hungers on. “Stuff” can’t satisfy the souls’ hunger, and it can never make us feel complete.
A divine invitation in Isaiah 55:1 describes God’s desire to satisfy the lives of all seekers. It’s an open invitation for everyone that thirsts. You can’t buy this satisfaction with money. It is purchased with respect and returned in affection.
Just think of how much our lives we spend on things that do not satisfy. Things that only leave us hungry for more. Satisfy means “to be full, have enough.” (Isaiah 55:2) Why do we spend money for things which don’t satisfy? Things that fill our lives, but not our souls? God says, “Listen intently to me, and change your diet!” Start consuming that which is good for your soul.
“Stuff” is never enough. (I Samuel 10:22-24) Saul is chosen to be king. when they went to find him, he was hidden among the stuff. Stuff being furniture, tools, wares, vessels, weapons. The “stuff” was coming between Saul and God’s will for his life.
We spend our lives accumulating and taking care of “stuff.” Things we think we need to make our lives complete, and then once we obtain it, we need something else. Things we work hard and long for, yet things that may end up leaving us empty and keeping us from God. It is important to note that “stuff” is not sin…UNLESS it keeps us from God. It’s not WHAT we possess, but what possesses us! Maybe we aren’t doing it intentionally, but are we hiding among our stuff as Saul did? Is “stuff” keeping us from being complete in God?
The Soul’s satisfaction doesn’t come from something, it comes from Someone. We don’t buy it with wages; we buy it with respect and love.
(Psalms 37:4) The Psalmist admonished the seeker to “…delight thyself in the Lord.” He(David) had discovered the pleasure in pleasing god. (Psalms 40:8) “…I delight to do thy will, O my God….”
The disciples of Jesus offered Him food and he told them that he had meat to eat of that they knew not of. They thought someone else had fed Him, but He was talking about doing the will of God. The will of God is nourishing and fulfilling. A person is never more satisfied than when they are in God’s will. No carnal food can substitute for the will of God.
Doing God’s will is something that anyone can do no matter what their social, cultural, racial or financial standing. That is the real invitation of Isaiah 55. Have you discovered the satisfied fulfilled life of doing the will of God? “Come and dine,” the Master calleth!
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