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Unsatisfied "Thus says the LORD: Why is there so much unrest among people in the world? In the affluent nations, and in fairly‑developed nations, no matter what they have, or how much they have, they are unsatisfied and restless. Constantly they are bombarded by advertising that urges them to get something "new," or "new and improved," or "new packaging, same great product." They buy something they have desired for a while, and many soon have "buyer’s remorse;" the product does not satisfy like they thought it would; perhaps it does not work quite as well as imagined; perhaps it needs constant maintenance. So, the striving goes on, looking for something newer yet, something more satisfying. But satisfaction, peace, and rest seldom come. Why? Because everything in this world and this life is imperfect and can never truly satisfy. Can never bring that "rest" that people truly desire. Some seek escape from life and its problems by pursuing money, sports, gambling, using drugs, seeking "followers" on social media, or themselves chasing every possible new fad. Some join protest marches for social or political causes; but to what end? There is no lasting satisfaction or "rest." "All things are full of labour; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." (Ecclesiastes 1:8) "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 5:10) The true source of this dis‑satisfaction is, of course, sin and selfishness, which is permitted by God among His creation, for a time. Is God’s own nature like that? Does He constantly crave something new? Is He uneasy? No, I think not. The "eye that never sleeps," the "ear that never shuts," the "arm that never tires," the "love that never fails" [quotes from the hymn—"There is an Eye that Never Sleeps," by James Cowden Wallace], is not uneasy or unrestful by the machinations and failings of His creatures. He loves what He has created, and enjoys it in its perfection. In Genesis, when God created various things, it is recorded that God pronounced everything "very good." (Genesis 1:31). Only rebellious creatures now mar His perfect universe, and He will soon fix that situation in the Millennial Kingdom. There are many in the developing nations who do not have these "first‑world problems." They are concerned with more‑basic things, such as finding food for today, maintaining a shelter from the elements today, obtaining medical treatments today. They will be satisfied in the Kingdom arrangements, but most will remain unsatisfied today. Pray for them, and the peaceable Kingdom soon to come. Jesus said to unsatisfied people in his day; people who were burdened and seeking rest; people for whom "one day at a time" was about 24 hours too much— "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28‑30) True rest, rest of the soul—not necessarily physical rest—was something that Jesus offered, then and even until now. Rest was to be found in the Messiah that God had sent; rest in God the Eternal; rest in the words of God delivered to Moses and the prophets. In other words, the "old paths," pointing to the true rest to come. Even before the days of Jesus on earth, God [through the prophets] offered peace of mind, rest, to the Israelite people—if they would accept it. "The LORD also spoke to me again, saying: ‘In as much as these people refused the waters of Shiloah [Siloam] that flow softly, The waters "that flow softly," in a general sense meaning the streams, springs, conduits, and reservoirs that supply Jerusalem and the Temple, represent the silent unobtrusive presence and majesty of Jehovah; in contrast to the Euphrates—violent, rapid, impetuous, and overflowing, representing the government and might of Assyria. Trust in me, said God to Israel, and I will give you peace of mind; I will protect you; no need to fear. But they would not accept the less‑tangible, but more‑certain, help from the God of Promise; seeking rather, earthly help which ultimately solved nothing but only created more problems. God would bring on them the judgments they deserved. Let this not be the case with the dedicated Christian. Let us pray for that "peace of God," that peace of mind, that comes from putting our hearts and minds fully in Jesus, the Messiah. (Philippians 4:7). "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8) "As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness." (Psalm 17:15) "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." (Psalm 145:16) Let us be satisfied with what God has provided for us now; whether we have much or little, it will all pass away soon. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15‑17) "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:9‑10) Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God. The glorified church will be satisfied in heaven; the restored human race will be satisfied on earth. Jesus will be satisfied with the results of his sacrifice—"He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied." (Isaiah 53:11) The frenetic craving for something new will be gone; the hyper‑active push to get more will be gone; life will resume a more‑natural pace, more in harmony with nature’s rhythms. Time, plenty of time, to reflect on God and what He has provided. Time to be satisfied. Finally, even God will be satisfied. "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17) The ETERNAL singing for joy? May it be so! LS |
