Too Easily Satisfied

One of Satan's most effective tactics is to get us to settle for the good instead of God's best.  The forbidden fruit was "good ... pleasing ... and desirable" (see Genesis 3:6) yet it cost Adam & Eve God's best.  This is true for all sin.  Initially, sin seems good and pleasurable, but ultimately it proves very costly.

The Bible teaches us that the highest satisfaction we can discover is in Christ alone, the greatest pleasure we can experience comes from God, and that the greatest desire we can have is for God.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. [Psalm 16:11]

Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. [Psalm 119:35]

For most of us "joy", "pleasures", and "delight" are not something we typically associate with God.  So we look for those things in money, sex, food, other people, careers, hobbies, and entertainment choices.  And those things may be good or at least seem okay, but we'll never enjoy God's best if those are what we "settle for".  We become too easily satisfied while our senses are deadened and our ability to enjoy God is dulled.

I was thinking through some of the highest and greatest satisfactions my life ... and to be honest I have at times been satisfied with sin.  However, the highest and greatest pleasures for me have come from God.

• Marrying my wife, Beth.  She is God's gift to me.


• Starting Rock Bridge Community Church. Hard, challenging ... but WOW!!!


• Times in worship when I have literally sensed God's manifest presence ... I could have done it forever if my knees, feet, back, and voice could have endured! (Most recently for me this happened at the last Disciple Now 2010 service.)


• The times when I preach and absolutely know that it is not I who speak, but God.


• Moments in prayer when the still, small voice of God comes through loud and clear and God's presence is tangible in my heart.


• When I read the Bible and have an "AHA!" moment of clarity and insight.

What about you? In what ways are you too easily satisfied, settling for the good at the expense of God's best?  When have you been completely satisfied by God?