Elements of WorshipExemplo

satisfaction <-----> longing

Nurtured worshipper, aren’t we very aware of satisfaction in the Lord? His Word is so thirst-quenching, His Spirit rich and thorough. Jesus as God and Friend meets every need. To be satisfied in Him is to lack nothing and desire nothing more.

But there comes a moment when satisfaction turns to “deep crying unto to deep” inside us (Ps. 42:7). To our surprise, satisfaction only leads to deeper desire. As we experience God more, we can’t help but long for more of Him. In the longing is genuine lovesickness. When nothing else satisfies but deeper, the Lord moves into this temporary void and reveals His character and ways more intimately, more completely. The deep longing falls into satiated peace—for a time.

So let satisfaction bring worshipful contentment in God alone. Let hunger rise and disturb that it may deepen our worship and increase our capacity to be filled. We worship best in this tension.

An Invitation

To increase spiritual satisfaction, make a “blessing date” with the Lord. While seated before Him, intentionally list His benefits and say them to Him. Read Him passages of Scripture that describe His generous love until little by little your inner “cup” of God’s goodness reaches full joy and overflows in worship.

Spiritual hunger is a merciful gift. Ask: Lord make me spiritually hungry. Increase my desire to know and experience You. The Lord gives good gifts to those who ask Him (Mat. 7:11).