SATISFY YOUR SOUL

October 13, 2017

SATISFY YOUR SOUL

Proverbs 13:13–25

Becky Lyus

Central Truth

We can search for satisfaction in every crevice and place in this world, but it will never satisfy our souls. God set eternity in our hearts, and only He can satisfy.

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
(Proverbs 13:25)

13 Whoever despises the word^{1

13:13
Or a word} brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment^{2

13:13
Or a commandment} will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
15 Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.^{3

13:15
Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut}
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster^{4

13:21
Or Evil} pursues sinners,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
    but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.^{5

13:24
Or who loves him disciplines him early}
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Footnotes

[1] 13:13 Or a word
[2] 13:13 Or a commandment
[3] 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
[4] 13:21 Or Evil
[5] 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early

I remember thinking as a young 16-year-old girl: “If I could just get that purse for Christmas, I will be the happiest girl in the world!” Christmas morning arrived, and to my excitement, the purse was under the Christmas tree. I truly felt like the happiest girl in the world. This lasted about a year until the new "cool purse" came out and last year’s purse started collecting dust in my closet. I recall thinking the exact same thing: “If only I had this . . . .” Proverbs 13:25 tell us: “[T]he belly of the wicked suffers want.” This was one of many times I reached toward the bottomless pit for satisfaction that I could not and would not find.

I spent so much of my life seeking satisfaction in the things of this world, such as partying for my affirmation, enslaved to people’s opinions of me, and looking for worth through alcohol. Though I felt like I had the best friends in the world, the happiest life, a good job, and good things going for myself, nothing could satisfy the hole in my heart no matter where I searched.

A few years ago, I went to Africa. There I saw Christians living completely free and yielding to the Holy Spirit, trusting that God is who He says He is—Provider, Healer, Father—and that He loves us deeply and unconditionally. They didn’t live in a constant state of desire for the next best thing, but instead were totally satisfied in their trust and love for Him.

I love Proverbs 13:25, “The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite.” So who are the righteous? Romans 6:17-18 says that the righteous are US, those set free from sin through Christ!

Like the beautiful people in Africa, I found that when I live my life fully surrendered to Christ—trusting His way over mine and yielding to the Holy Spirit—my appetite is fully satisfied. I no longer need fancy things to give me my worth and what is at best only temporary satisfaction. The Lord is ENOUGH, and my worth is found in Him alone.

1. What are you seeking satisfaction from?

2. When faced with choices, which way seems better to you, your own or the Lord’s? What does it mean when Jesus said He came to give you life to the fullest? (See John 10:10.) Are you experiencing what He meant by this promise?

3. Can you think of a time when you felt true joy from yielding to the Holy Spirit? Explain.

4. Do you truly believe that Christ is enough to satisfy? Why or why not?

5. Is there anything holding you back from fully surrendering your life to Christ? Explain. What is hindering you from yielding to Him in this area?