Satisfied in God
As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form. — Psalms 17:15
Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. — 1 Corinthians 11:1
Author
Nancy G. Marquez
Summary: At times we seek satisfaction in fleeting things, but nothing on this earth can fully satisfy us, no matter how beautiful or good it may seem. Our true aspiration should be to resemble the Lord in every way, imitating Christ and finding joy in God and in his eternal and perfect works. In Psalm 17, David prays sincerely, asks for vindication and protection, seeks to walk uprightly, and trusts that God hears those who take refuge in him. Unlike those whose portion is in this life, we live seeking to please God, upheld in his paths, and we look forward to the complete satisfaction of beholding his face and awakening in his likeness.
Sometimes we seek our satisfaction in fleeting things instead of seeking it in eternal things. To be clear, we must remember that nothing on this earth will bring us satisfaction, no matter how beautiful and good it may seem. Our satisfaction should lie solely in wanting to become like our Lord and Master, like Him in every way. Could that be why the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthians to imitate him, just as he imitated Christ? There is nothing better than finding our satisfaction in God and His works, which are eternal and perfect.
Psalm 17 is a sincere prayer offered by David, the sweet psalmist of Israel. He begins the prayer by asking God to attend to his cry and confesses to Him that his prayer comes from lips free of deceit. He also asks God to let His eyes behold his uprightness. How wonderful to know that the Psalmist David always sought to be pleasing to God in all his ways! He concludes the prayer by saying (v. 15), “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” Today we echo the words of the Psalmist when he wrote this verse, which seems easier to recite than to live out.
The believer knows that he will receive complete satisfaction when he is in the presence of the Lord, after having done everything possible to live like Him here on earth.
A Prayer of David:
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry.
Hear my prayer, which comes from lips free of deceit.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes behold uprightness.
3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me by night;
You have tried me and found nothing wicked;
I have resolved that my mouth shall not transgress.
4 Concerning the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips
I have kept myself from the paths of the violent.
5 Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my feet may not slip.
6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me; hear my word.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You,
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my enemies who seek my life.
10 They are enclosed in their own fat;
With their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps;
They have set their eyes on casting us down to the ground.
12 They are like a lion eager to seize its prey,
And like a young lion lurking in hiding.
13 Arise, O Lord;
Confront them and cast them down;
Deliver my soul from the wicked with Your sword,
14 From men by Your hand, O Lord,
From worldly men whose portion is in this life,
And whose bellies are filled with Your treasure.
They satisfy their children,
And still leave what remains to their little ones.
15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.