Psalm 17

    1      Hear a just cause, O LORD,
    Attend to my cry;
    Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
    2      Let my vindication come from Your presence;
    Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

    3      You have tested my heart;
    You have visited me in the night;
    You have tried me and have found nothing;
    I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
    4      Concerning the works of men,
    By the word of Your lips,
    I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
    5      Uphold my steps in Your paths,
    That my footsteps may not slip.

    6      I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
    Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
    7      Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
    O You who save those who trust in You
    From those who rise up against them.
    8      Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
    Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
    9      From the wicked who oppress me,
    From my deadly enemies who surround me.

    10      They have closed up their fat hearts;
    With their mouths they speak proudly.
    11      They have now surrounded us in our steps;
    They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
    12      As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
    And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

    13      Arise, O LORD,
    Confront him, cast him down;
    Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
    14      With Your hand from men, O LORD,
    From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
    And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
    They are satisfied with children,
    And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.

    15      As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
    I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
-Psalm 17

Are you satisfied with the mediocrity of this life? This is a different question than being content in this life. Are you satisfied in it? Notice the attitude of the wicked in this Psalm and see what it is that they are satisfied in.

The wicked have had their portion in this life. Similar to yesterday's devotion, this has to do with the goal we are living with and the reward we are seeking after. The goal and reward of the wicked is to be satisfied above all else in this life. Their bellies are filled, are satisfied in children and then leave all they have worked towards behind. As said repeatedly in Ecclesiastes, "Vanity, Vanity, all is vanity."

It is not wrong to have a full belly, to have children and delight in them, nor for things to be left behind for them. The problem arises when this is the goal. When this is the reward and portion of your life, it is problematic. As it was stated to me, it is never a problem to have things, but it is a major problem when those things have you.

So what of believers?

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

This is the attitude we must have. Our satisfaction comes from awaking in His likeness. Running the race and fighting the good fight for that goal of the upward call in Christ Jesus our Lord is what we should be striving for. I am not satisfied with this life. I am satisfied in the Lord. I am content with whatever my lot may be in this life because I am satisfied in the Lord. Prayerfully consider this question: What am I satisfied in? Is it the Lord? Or is it this world?