What does it mean to be satisfied in God? As Christian Hedonists, we believe such satisfaction is possible: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. We even imitate the psalmist in praying for such satisfaction: “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love” (Psalm 90:14). Yet what exactly do we ask for?
The stakes are high. As God designed us for joy, inevitably we will pursue it, but our hearts, stained by sin, often seek satisfaction from the wrong sources.
The prophets understood this reality. God asked the people of Israel through Isaiah, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2). Similarly, through Jeremiah God said, “My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13).
We kill our own joy when we run to the wrong sources. So, as we ask for satisfaction from God, how exactly does God intend for us to search for it? And what does it feel like when we find it?
Layers of Satisfaction
To guide us, the Bible attests to three layers of satisfaction in God: simple, deep, and perfect.
In simple satisfaction, we embrace the gifts of God with heartfelt thankfulness. In deep satisfaction, we draw comfort from God in trials, thus finding hope in the giver of good gifts even when he withholds them. In perfect satisfaction, which awaits us in the new heavens and new earth, we will forever enjoy both gifts and communion with the gift-giver.
Often, the biblical authors use the first type of satisfaction to illustrate and build anticipation for the other two. Earthly gifts offer pictures of deep, soul-level joy and the perfect happiness we will have when God makes all things new.
Simple Satisfaction
Simple satisfaction is rooted in circumstances. Think about the gift of a full stomach after skipping breakfast and lunch for the day. Or perhaps you know the relief of quenched thirst after a long hike in the sun. Jesus delivered such satisfaction by the Sea of Galilee to expectant crowds: “He took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied” (Matthew 15:36–37).
While not the most magnificent form of enjoyment, we should not ignore simple satisfaction. Jesus teaches us to ask for it when he says, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), likely alluding to the daily satisfaction of the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:12). Paul, reflecting on food and clothing, comments, “With these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:8).
While anyone, Christian or not, can enjoy a good meal, true satisfaction awaits those who receive simple gifts as from the hand of God. Solomon writes, “Everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil — this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:13). When received with gratitude from a gracious heavenly Father, bodily refreshment distinctly serves as one layer of satisfaction in God.
Deep Satisfaction
Simple satisfaction points to a deeper reality, one found not in our circumstances but in our souls. Psalm 63:5 compares bodily satisfaction to this more profound gratification: “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food.” God grants simple satisfaction so that we might know where to run to meet our souls’ deeper cravings.
After feeding the crowds in John 6, Jesus guides them to the one who can restore their souls: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Deep satisfaction feeds on communion with Jesus, knowing that in him and through him alone can we find rest for our souls.
Deep satisfaction, as with Job, looks suffering in the face and says, “Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Deep satisfaction, as with Paul and Silas, sings while in prison (Acts 16:25). Deep satisfaction cries out with Habakkuk, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food . . . yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18).
Whereas eating bread leads to simple satisfaction, deep satisfaction enjoys the bread-giver even at a bare table.
Perfect Satisfaction
Along with these two layers of satisfaction, in Christ an even greater contentment awaits in the new heavens and new earth. Perfect satisfaction means no more unmet longings or unfulfilled desires — forever. Simple satisfaction depends on circumstances. Deep satisfaction resides in the soul. Perfect satisfaction brings body and soul into fullness of joy for all the ages to come.
John’s visions of the future in Revelation show the root of perfect satisfaction — namely, the promise that all of our trials will end because we will be with God:
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:3–4)
Since perfect satisfaction still awaits in the future, we grasp at everyday experiences for foretastes of the glories yet to come. Consider music: A sweet musical note compares to simple satisfaction, while a somber, reflective song in a minor key corresponds to deep satisfaction. A full orchestra, resounding in perfect harmony together, displays, even if just for a moment, perfect satisfaction.
Jesus wants his people to see this reality as he feeds the crowds on the seashore. While he satisfies their stomachs, he wants them to know they can trust him for soul satisfaction — and he also wants them to see a shadow of the messianic banquet yet to come. When we think of satisfaction, the Scriptures guide us to taste and see the promise of Revelation 19:9: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Eating bread leads to simple satisfaction, and deep satisfaction enjoys the bread-giver even at a bare table, but perfect satisfaction eats bread with the bread-giver forever.
Fixed on God’s Glory
So, then, with these three layers in view, how does God intend for us to seek satisfaction? In the Gospel of John, after meeting simple desires by giving bread, Jesus points to the satisfaction found only in himself: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Our simple, deep, and ultimately perfect satisfactions come only through seeking Jesus in all things.
When God brings simple enjoyment, we give him the glory. We satisfy our souls in him through his good gifts as we thank him for the sun rising, a house to live in, water to drink, food to eat, and friends and family to enjoy. By faith, we also enjoy deep satisfaction in him in the absence of his good gifts — when the job is lost, relationships grow tense, or dreams are left unfulfilled.
In both of these cases, we trust that one day, in God’s perfect city, we will find our bodies and souls perfectly satisfied in the presence of God. For that, we give him the glory, and we taste now of the joy that will be ours forever.
Desiring God