There’s a prayer that I’ve started praying recently. It’s from Psalm 90:14.
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Now if the text started “Satisfy us in the morning with ______________”, and there was actually a blank for me to fill in, I wonder if I’d finish the prayer the same way the psalmist did? I mean, I can see myself praying, “Satisfy me in the morning with more money so that I may sing for joy and pay off my bills without stress.”
OR
“Satisfy me in the morning with deeper friendships so I will sing for joy and have someone I can always depend on.”
OR
“Satisfy me in the morning with more success so I will sing for joy be glad all the way until I cash out my 401K and retire in
OR
“Satisfy me in the morning with a stronger, leaner body so I can sing for joy and others can admire me when they see how ripped I am.”
But the text is NOT left blank. It goes on. “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love” the psalmist prays.
I’ve been praying that prayer because I believe that even though sometimes I think I’d like other things more (and much of society would have me believe I need other things more), there is truly no greater need in my life than to be filled up with and satisfied by the unfailing love of my Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And I believe that the psalmist is right, too. If I am filled up with God’s unfailing love for me, then I can sing for joy and be glad all my days. If I am satisfied by God’s love for me, then I don’t have to seek approval and satisfaction elsewhere. If I allow God’s unfailing love to quench my deepest thirst, then I don’t have to spend my days managing others’ impressions of me or living up to someone else’s expectations of me. I’m already fully and satisfyingly loved.
And when that happens, there is a beautiful consequence that extends beyond me. Not only am I satisfied, but I’m able to give the best of myself to my spouse, my children, my friends, my neighbors, my co-workers, my classmates, and everyone else I encounter throughout my day. I’m able to give my best because those relationships aren’t junked up with other motives and false hopes. I’m already overflowing with God’s love for me, and so I’m free to let God’s love spill out of me and onto those around me.
I love that prayer!! And if I could give you any gift today it would be the gift of knowing and living from the satisfying joy of the Lord.
I hope it's your gift. I hope you know God's love really, really deeply. I hope you ask him for it this day--and every day.
