Is God satisfied? How can you tell if God is satisfied? Do you base your response on your thoughts, your feelings, or your experiences? When you look at your own sins and the sins of humankind throughout history, are you ashamed, angry, or disgusted? Do you ever wonder how God sees you?
These words recorded in Isaiah 53 might surprise or even shock you. “Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God for His own sins! But He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all…But who among the people realized that He was dying for their sins—that He was suffering for their punishment?…But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush Him and fill Him with grief. Yet when His life is made an offering for sin, He will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s plan will prosper in His hands. When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of what He has experienced, my Righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins. I will give Him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because He exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.”
Yesterday, as I was reflecting on the horrific abuse and anguish that Jesus suffered, I read these words and wrote them down. Today, I’m drawn back to these same words. “Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the LORD” (Proverbs 20:12).
If I could use my ears to hear God’s Word and God’s voice, and to use my eyes to see what God has accomplished for us, His dear children, through Jesus’ anguish, the word satisfied would be forever redefined.
Satisfaction doesn’t come from anything that I say or do. I don’t get satisfaction from people, position, or possessions. Satisfaction is a gift from God bought with the precious blood of the Lamb. Jesus took the wrath of God upon Himself, and today we stand forgiven at the cross.
Since God is satisfied, will you be satisfied?
Since God is our peace who has broken down every wall, will you live in God’s peace?
Since Easter is all about God making everyone right through Jesus’ death and resurrection,
will you make it about people, bunnies, and chocolate?
Will you find your satisfaction through Christ and share the Good News,
or will you make your life about something else?