Jeremiah 31:14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, said the LORD. I. THERE IS A SATISFACTION WHICH IS NOT TO BE DESIRED. 1. That of the worldling, which says, "Soul, take thine ease," etc. 2. That of conventionalism. This looks only to the ordinary standard of religious attainment, and so long as it can come up tolerably near to that standard, it desires no more. They are "at ease in Zion," and the "woe" denounced on such is theirs. 3. Of Pharisaism, which thanks God that it is not as other men are. 4. Of the Stoic, that has drilled itself not to feel the sorrows of men. 5. Of the selfish, which, because it swims, cares not who sinks. II. BUT THERE IS A SATISFACTION WHICH IS GREATLY TO BE DESIRED. 1. That of trust, which prevents all murmuring at the dispensations of God, and which says, "I will trust, and not be afraid." 2. That of meekness, which says, "It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth good in his sight." 3. That of belief in God's promises in Christ. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God." 4. That of experience - the consciousness that God is carrying on his work within us, deepening the hold of that which is good, loosening more and more the power of that which is evil. Consciousness of growth in grace. But none of these, precious as they are, come up to what is meant here. For it tells us that - III. THERE IS A SATISFACTION BETTER THAN ALL THESE. It is that of the realization of the promises of God. This, not now, but hereafter. In all the kingdom of nature where God has implanted any hunger, he has made provision for its supply. Is the soul of man to be the solitary exception? The seeds obtain their full development ere they die; but not one single soul that God has created ever does so. We cannot be satisfied with either what we know or attain to here. What satisfaction we have is all based on the conviction that we know not, see not, possess not, now; we shall hereafter. See to it, that we be in the road that leadeth to that realization. "I am the Way," said Jesus. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. |
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