How many times have you heard it?
Did you know that the “next big thing” just hit the shelves and “you need it?” Except, really – you don’t.
In our marketing and consumer-driven society we are always being sold something – encouraged to make a switch to this new product, or encouraged to buy that other thing.
But it could never make you happy or fulfill you; that’s simply not in the ability of a thing, or even a human. Still, it’s the promise that’s continually hinted at in advertisements— but always left unfulfilled!
Sometimes they spend millions of dollars on these ads to try to persuade everyone to buy their products – so why would they, if they don’t work?
Well, there is a real reason why they work! There is something missing deep within us, something that— for many of us— is left unfulfilled. But it doesn’t have to be!
We long for something that is so much better than what we are being sold to take its place. Still, many do what we are told – we go out and buy that something, subconsciously expecting it to fill some void in our lives.
Things are not the only place that we can seek fulfillment.
The problem is that anything that we place in our lives to fulfill a need, aside from God, is actually called an idol. But there’s nothing new under the sun – so it shouldn’t be that surprising for us that idolatry still happens today— just in a different form.
Why is it that it’s always easier to settle for a cheap imitation or substitute for the real thing? Well, it’s in our very nature to want to take a shortcut to fill that void, to accept an alternative that demands nothing and feels good for a time, but the truth is – only Jesus can fully satisfy us!
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
Think of the diversity of food – the advertisements for that Italian restaurant or a seafood feast – or even that fast food place with the “adult” happy meals. As soon as we consume it, we are looking our next meal – but with Jesus He is enough for every meal for all people, and for all time!
“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” (Psalm 22:26)
That is how much He satisfies! That in eating we are satisfied, in seeking Him, we can’t help but praise. If we look at that last phrase, our hearts are (in Hebrew), ḥāyâ – which literally means they are full of life and sustained forever!
What else can do that? Who else can do that?
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:9)
The Lord alone can satisfy the longing of our hearts; there are no substitutes, because nothing else will ever be enough.
Where do you place your trust, your faith, to satisfy your every longing? Let it be the Bread of Life. Let it be the Living Water. Let it be Jesus.
~ Pastor Nathan Cooper