Read: Psalm 107:4-9
For he satisfies the longing soul. (v. 9)
The Irish rock band U2 had a hit in 1987 with the song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” It labels the soul-searching despair for meaning that so many know too well. The redeemed in our verses today knew both the longing of that quest and the quenching of their thirst in God. It reminds me of Augustine’s famous words, “Our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
In February, I met a man from Iraq who came to know Jesus after a long search. For years he stared into the night desert sky and asked God to show him the truth. Then one night, the radio station he listened to aired a message about Jesus recorded by our Farsi-speaking producer. He received Jesus as his Savior and Lord! It would be 13 more years before he was able to be baptized. As he testified to me, I saw the words of verses 8 and 9 come to life: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love . . . For he satisfies the longing soul.”
Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6). And so they are! Are you searching? Does your soul long to be satisfied? Look no further than Jesus. To a woman drawing water at a well he offered, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14). He makes the same invitation to you and me today. —Jon Opgenorth
As you pray, thank God for satisfying your soul in Jesus.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
