August 2, 2022 – Reflections on “Satisfied!”

      I am satisfied, I am satisfied, I am satisfied with Jesus,
 But the question comes to me, As I think of Calvary, Is my Savior satisfied with me?

         Many eons ago, I sang this song often, and each time I asked myself this question? Is my Savior satisfied with me? The lyrics of this hymn had more questions for me. In what ways did Jesus satisfy me? And what satisfies me now?

         As I look back on my life, I see phases of my life that were always different in abilities and focus. Each phase had a different rhythm of days depending on the focus–learning, and curiosity was the foundation of each phase. After raising four children, and teaching 31 years, and I reached the retirement years. I didn’t stop learning. I could now learn to paint, to write, love my grandchildren, and see new vistas in my life. I didn’t need a ‘bucket list’ of going somewhere, because I had a ‘bucket list’ of doing and learning and experiencing the Joy of the Lord by obeying the One who brings me salvation.

         Music became a pathway to deeper walk with the Lord when the lyrics spoke to my heart. Writing about Jesus increases my understanding of Jesus. I remember when Mother gave me this song – “I walked Today Where Jesus Walked!” The lyrics were like a springboard into understanding Jesus and His life on the earth. Then I found scriptures that explain the reasons I follow Jesus and His Teachings.

         Before the universe was created is the first, most important reason: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. Ephesians 1:3-5. He knew us before we were. And in I John 4:19, we find, We love because He first loved us. 

         Who is this Jesus? He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:2-4.   It is when we fill our hearts and minds with The Word of God; we find a place that protects us with His Love and Hope when we have Faith in Him. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114.

         What has Jesus done for us? For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21.  The last verse in Matthew says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We don’t see Him, but His Presence is with us, always.

         These two verses tell His purpose for us, through Jesus, because of His great love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17.

I am satisfied with Jesus. He has done so much for me: He has suffered to redeem me; He has died to set me free. (First Verse of hymn).

How can we please Jesus? I often think of the last words of Jesus on the cross. “It is finished!” When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:30. God released Jesus from the grave. He raised Jesus from the dead. For God has the power of the number of days we will spend on the earth.

         Each day on earth and each night, Jesus is caring for us, and His Presence is real. Do you give God the glory for all He has blessed you with each day? It begins with Faith. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old received their commendation. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3.

         He is with me in my trials. Best of friends of all is He; I can always count on Jesus. Can He always count on me? (Second verse – Benjamin McKinney)

         When we delight in sharing the love of Jesus, we become His Ambassadors… those who are sent to tell of Jesus and His Love. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16.

          I can hear the voice of Jesus, Calling out so pleadingly, “Go and win the lost and straying”; Is He satisfied with me? (3rd Verse – Benjamin McKinney).

         What pleases the Lord God? And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17. When we love someone, we want to please them.

         When my work on earth is ended, And I cross the mystic sea, Oh, that I could hear Him saying, “I am satisfied with thee.” (4th verse – Benjamin McKinney) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2.

Every day is a new adventure in learning what is pleasing to God, and Jesus is satisfied with us.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7.