SATISFYING THE DESIRES OF YOUR SOUL

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a
sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be
like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
(Isaiah 58:11)

MEDITATION:
In 2015, a city in Iran reported a heat index temperature of 154!! This was
nearly a world record (and may have been a warning from God for Iran to
‘leave Israel alone!’). Most of us have experienced a searing heat, but few
of us have had to live with a heat index of 154.

Can’t you just picture a country where the land is scorching hot? A land that
is so hot that people are wondering if and when they will get relief from the
heat? Imagine how refreshing it will be when the land receives water to cool
down the burning heat.

Our soul is similar to a barren, suffering, scorched land when we don’t have
a relationship with God. We are given a soul that is thirsty for fellowship and
communion with God. As believers, we need to feed this desire on a daily basis.
When we fail to provide for the needs of this desire, the soul becomes weakened
and malnourished.

A weakened soul can result in our discontent, confusion and restlessness. Why?
Because we are continually searching for fulfillment in our lives. Some people
resort to alcohol or drugs as a means of numbing the desires of the soul. Others
try many different ways to calm the longings of their own souls. The problem
with trying to feed the soul in other ways is, our soul is made by and for God.
As a result, God is the ONLY one who can completely satisfy our soul’s needs.

If we fail to provide the proper nourishment for our souls, then we can expect
to have a life of restlessness and torment. Restlessness because we are frantically
searching for something to satisfy our soul; torment because we are frustrated
over our failed attempts to find refreshment for our soul.

Those who are properly feeding their souls are the ones who do not measure their
worth by their social status or their earthly possessions. For them, their worth is
measured by the realities of eternity. They realize the brevity of life, the temporary
pleasures of possessions and God’s promises for eternity. It is the wise and humble
person who provides proper nourishment for his soul and has a heart that cries out
to God,
    “God I need you! Be merciful to me, a sinner!”

ACTION:
How is the healthiness of your soul? Are you providing it with proper nourishment?
God loves us and wants us to love Him in return; and when we do, we are on the
right path for feeding our soul with what it needs. Instead of living a life in a barren
scorching, frustrated and searching manner, we can experience the refreshing peace
and joy that only God can provide.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You are my redeemer and the only one who can satisfy
the longings of my soul. My desire is to have a healthy soul that is refreshed
and nourished with the essentials that only You can provide. I know that when
You turn us away from something bad, You turn us toward something good. I
ask You now to turn my attention away from the barren things of this world
and teach me to focus on the refreshing waters You have for my soul. You are
the One my soul desires – help me to allow my soul to communicate with You
so it will be filled and I will enjoy the blessings of fellowshipping with You.”

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