Quenching Our Thirst: Finding Satisfaction in God
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Underwood Baptist Church. Today, we explored Psalm 63, a powerful psalm of David written during a time of great personal trial. David, while in the wilderness, expresses a deep thirst for God, acknowledging that only God can truly satisfy the longings of our souls. This psalm teaches us three key lessons: God is the object of our thirst, satisfaction in God exceeds our expectations, and inward satisfaction in God warrants outward action.
David begins by acknowledging his thirst for God, a thirst that every human being shares. There are two types of thirst: one for those who have never encountered God and another for those who have and long for more of Him. Regardless of which group we fall into, our satisfaction is found in God alone. David illustrates that when we seek God, we are not just given a drink but a feast, showing that God's provision exceeds our expectations.
Moreover, David emphasizes that our inward satisfaction in God should manifest in outward actions. When we are truly satisfied in God, it will show in our praise, our actions, and our lives. David's satisfaction in God is not just a past experience but a present reality and a future promise. He uses past, present, and future tenses to show that God's faithfulness and satisfaction are guaranteed across all times.
David also warns us that seeking satisfaction outside of God is both ineffective and temporary. He uses the example of the woman at the well from John 4 to illustrate that earthly solutions are fleeting and cannot compare to the living water that Jesus offers. Just as Coca-Cola customers rejected New Coke for the original formula, we too should reject temporary satisfactions for the eternal satisfaction found in God.
Finally, David assures us that if we seek God, our satisfaction is guaranteed. This is not just a promise for the future but a reality we can experience now. God's steadfast love is better than life itself, and when we seek Him, we will find Him. As we close, let us reflect on where we seek our satisfaction and turn our hearts fully to God, whose love and provision are unparalleled.
### Key Takeaways
1. God is the Object of Our Thirst: Every human being has an inherent thirst for God, whether they realize it or not. This thirst can only be quenched by a relationship with God, who reveals Himself through His Word and through Jesus Christ. Acknowledging this thirst is the first step towards true satisfaction. [38:19]
2. Satisfaction in God Exceeds Expectations: When we come to God with our needs, He provides abundantly more than we could ever imagine. David illustrates this by comparing God's provision to a feast that satisfies our deepest longings. This teaches us to trust in God's ability to exceed our expectations. [40:38]
3. Inward Satisfaction Warrants Outward Action: True satisfaction in God should be evident in our lives. David's praise and actions reflect his deep satisfaction in God. When we are truly satisfied in God, it will naturally overflow into our words, actions, and interactions with others. [41:25]
4. Nothing Else Can Satisfy Us: Earthly solutions and temporary satisfactions are ineffective and fleeting. David's comparison to the woman at the well in John 4 reminds us that only Jesus can provide the living water that quenches our eternal thirst. We must reject temporary satisfactions for the eternal satisfaction found in God. [44:12]
5. Our Satisfaction in God is Guaranteed: David uses past, present, and future tenses to show that God's faithfulness and satisfaction are guaranteed across all times. Whether we look back at God's past faithfulness, experience His presence now, or anticipate future fulfillment, we can be assured that our satisfaction in God is secure. [49:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:44] - Upcoming Events
[32:14] - 50th Anniversary Celebration
[32:39] - Annual Meeting Details
[33:08] - Introduction to Psalm 63
[33:36] - The Psalms: A Precious Treasure
[34:04] - Challenge to Engage with the Psalms
[34:52] - Reading Psalm 63
[36:29] - Prayer for Illumination
[37:03] - Context of Psalm 63
[37:36] - God is the Object of Our Thirst
[38:19] - Two Types of Thirst
[40:00] - Satisfaction in God Exceeds Expectations
[41:25] - Inward Satisfaction Warrants Outward Action
[42:54] - Nothing Else Can Satisfy Us
[44:12] - The Woman at the Well
[49:11] - Our Satisfaction is Guaranteed
[49:54] - Past, Present, and Future Satisfaction
[55:17] - Present Satisfaction in God
[56:58] - Future Satisfaction in God
[58:02] - The Ultimate Feast
[58:30] - Singing for Joy
[01:00:08] - The End of Lies
[01:01:48] - Where Do We Seek Satisfaction?
[01:03:41] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 63:1-11
- John 4:13-14
#### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 63, how does David describe his longing for God? What imagery does he use to convey his thirst? ([34:52])
2. According to the sermon, what are the two types of thirst for God that David mentions? ([38:51])
3. How does David illustrate that satisfaction in God exceeds expectations in Psalm 63? ([40:38])
4. What example from the New Testament does the sermon use to illustrate the concept of seeking satisfaction outside of God? ([42:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean when David says, "My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food"? How does this relate to the idea that satisfaction in God exceeds expectations? ([40:38])
2. How does the story of the woman at the well in John 4 illustrate the futility of seeking satisfaction in earthly things? ([42:54])
3. Why does David use past, present, and future tenses to describe his satisfaction in God? What does this tell us about God's faithfulness? ([49:54])
4. How does David's experience in the wilderness shape his understanding of God's provision and satisfaction? ([37:36])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what ways have you experienced a "thirst" for God? How did you try to quench that thirst? ([38:19])
2. David describes God's provision as a feast that exceeds expectations. Can you recall a time when God provided for you in a way that exceeded your expectations? How did that impact your faith? ([40:38])
3. The sermon emphasizes that true satisfaction in God should manifest in outward actions. What are some practical ways you can show your satisfaction in God through your daily actions and interactions? ([41:25])
4. The story of the woman at the well highlights the temporary nature of earthly satisfactions. What are some "wells" you have turned to for satisfaction that ultimately left you thirsty? How can you turn your focus back to God? ([42:54])
5. David assures us that our satisfaction in God is guaranteed. How can you remind yourself of God's past faithfulness during times of doubt or struggle? ([49:54])
6. The sermon challenges us to make a list of God's goodness in our lives. Take a moment to write down specific instances where you have experienced God's faithfulness. How can this list help you in future times of need? ([53:07])
7. Where do you currently seek satisfaction outside of God? What steps can you take this week to shift your focus and find true satisfaction in Him alone? ([01:01:48])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: God is the Object of Our Thirst
Description:
Every human being has an inherent thirst for God, whether they realize it or not. This thirst can only be quenched by a relationship with God, who reveals Himself through His Word and through Jesus Christ. Acknowledging this thirst is the first step towards true satisfaction. David, in Psalm 63, vividly expresses this deep longing for God, recognizing that only God can satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. This universal thirst is a call to seek a deeper relationship with God, who alone can provide the living water that quenches our spiritual thirst. [38:19]
Bible Passage:
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1-2, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a time when you felt a deep longing or emptiness. How did you try to fill that void? Can you identify ways to seek God more intentionally to quench that spiritual thirst today?
Day 2: Satisfaction in God Exceeds Expectations
Description:
When we come to God with our needs, He provides abundantly more than we could ever imagine. David illustrates this by comparing God's provision to a feast that satisfies our deepest longings. This teaches us to trust in God's ability to exceed our expectations. In Psalm 63, David's experience in the wilderness becomes a powerful testimony of how God's provision is not just sufficient but overwhelmingly abundant. This abundance is a reminder that God's love and care for us go beyond our immediate needs and desires, offering us a richness that surpasses all earthly provisions. [40:38]
Bible Passage:
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a recent situation where you felt your needs were not being met. How can you trust God to provide not just what you need, but more than you could ever expect? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in His provision?
Day 3: Inward Satisfaction Warrants Outward Action
Description:
True satisfaction in God should be evident in our lives. David's praise and actions reflect his deep satisfaction in God. When we are truly satisfied in God, it will naturally overflow into our words, actions, and interactions with others. Psalm 63 shows that David's satisfaction in God is not just a private experience but a public declaration. His life becomes a testimony of God's goodness, encouraging others to seek the same satisfaction. This outward expression of inward satisfaction is a powerful witness to the transformative power of a relationship with God. [41:25]
Bible Passage:
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider how your actions and words reflect your relationship with God. What is one specific way you can let your satisfaction in God shine through in your interactions with others today?
Day 4: Nothing Else Can Satisfy Us
Description:
Earthly solutions and temporary satisfactions are ineffective and fleeting. David's comparison to the woman at the well in John 4 reminds us that only Jesus can provide the living water that quenches our eternal thirst. We must reject temporary satisfactions for the eternal satisfaction found in God. Just as Coca-Cola customers rejected New Coke for the original formula, we too should reject temporary satisfactions for the eternal satisfaction found in God. This analogy underscores the futility of seeking fulfillment in anything other than God, who alone can provide lasting satisfaction. [44:12]
Bible Passage:
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." (Isaiah 55:2, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify one area of your life where you are seeking temporary satisfaction. How can you turn away from this and seek the eternal satisfaction that only God can provide? What practical steps can you take to make this shift today?
Day 5: Our Satisfaction in God is Guaranteed
Description:
David uses past, present, and future tenses to show that God's faithfulness and satisfaction are guaranteed across all times. Whether we look back at God's past faithfulness, experience His presence now, or anticipate future fulfillment, we can be assured that our satisfaction in God is secure. Psalm 63 reassures us that God's steadfast love is better than life itself, and when we seek Him, we will find Him. This promise is not just for the future but a reality we can experience now, providing us with a deep sense of peace and fulfillment. [49:54]
Bible Passage:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in the past. How does this assurance of His unchanging nature help you trust Him for your present and future needs? What can you do today to remind yourself of God's guaranteed satisfaction?
Quotes
1. "I believe the Psalms are the most neglected book of the Bible by the church in America. In 2024 I want you to imagine for a moment that you're going to be in the middle of the Bible. When you got home from church today there was a package waiting on your front porch and you opened that package up and there was a note on top of it and it was written to you from God Himself." [33:08] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Psalms are a book of prayers that God has handed down generation after generation after generation to His people. And this book not only tells us uniquely who the character of our God and Father is, but it provides for us words when we hear it, when we read it. If you don't have a plan to regularly engage with the Psalms in your devotional life, I want to challenge you today right up front to begin that immediately." [34:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is the object of our thirst. We have to begin as we look at this psalm where David does by acknowledging that we are thirsty. We are thirsty. Every person who ever lived thirsts for God. For the millennials in the room, you might remember the old plum song, there's a God-shaped hole in all of us. You know that one? That's how she puts it. But David says, oh God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you." [38:19] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "There are two types of thirst for God. There's the thirst of those who have never encountered him before. They know that something's missing, but they're not sure what. These are those that have encountered God by what we call general revelation. Another psalm tells us the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. But then there's another kind of thirst for God, one that David goes on to describe in this psalm." [38:51] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Satisfaction in God exceeds expectation. David comes to God and he says that he thirsts for him. But in verse 5 David says, my soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food. David comes to God thirsty, asking for a drink, and God sets before him a feast. This is the God that we serve, the God that always exceeds our expectations. We come to him thinking we know what we need most, and he gives us more than we could even imagine to ask." [40:38] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Inward satisfaction warrants outward action. David says, because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live. In your name I will lift up my hands. In other words, David is saying I am satisfied in you, and it shows in my outward expression. When we are satisfied in God, we tell others, he says, my lips will praise you. We say it with our mouths that we are satisfied in him." [41:25] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Nothing else can satisfy us. Brothers and sisters, we live in a dry and weary land where there is no water, yet we are always looking to that dry and weary land for a drink. We are wholly enamored by what we see around us, and we lose sight of what we know to be good and true and best. I'm reminded of the woman at the well. Remember that story from John chapter 4? Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at the well and he speaks to her." [41:59] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When we encounter the power and glory of God, nothing else will do. It shouldn't take us 79 days to realize that one. This phrase, better than life, in verse 3 succinctly expresses David's belief and experience that there is absolutely nothing, absolutely nothing that can be experienced in this life that is more satisfying than an encounter with God Almighty. When we have encountered Him, nothing else will do." [46:39] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If we seek him, our satisfaction is guaranteed. First and foremost, that is because when we seek him, we will find him. Our God is not a God who is hidden and obscure. He is standing in the open, jumping and waving his arms, and saying, your name, come unto me. He is calling you home. He desires to be found by you. And we could go through scripture this morning and point that out in passage after passage after passage." [49:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "David is satisfied not because he is good at being satisfied, but because God is that good. His steadfast love is better than life. That steadfast love is so unique, so unrivaled, so unparalleled, it has its own word. We don't even have an equivalent for it in our language. The best we can do is put steadfast and love together. That's how good we are. Our God is. And that is why whatever you are in today, whatever circumstance you are walking in, you can be satisfied in him." [56:01] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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