Psalm 119:81 (NIV)
ך Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
At some point in our lives, all of us have been looking for something to fill a void within ourselves. For many, the things offered by this world seem to be the right fit; cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, gluttony, lust, adultery, work, sports, all offer transient satisfaction. For some, they seek satisfaction in things that are other worldly, spirituality, mysticism, asceticism, and a host of other 'isms' promise satisfaction but ultimately fail to fit the bill. For a precious few, they turn to the true source of satisfaction, namely God.
In today's passage, the psalmist expresses the depth of the longing that we all feel. He writes "my soul faints with longing..." This is an emotion and a mental state to which we may all relate. Such a deep and desperate longing at the core of our being, our soul, is actually a manifestation of God's plan. God has 'wired' us to experience this feeling, this hunger, this thirst. Of course, his intention was that he be the source of our longing. But Satan, the prince of this world, has found subtle and subversive ways to bend our longing and deceived us into thinking that things of this world, in fact anything other than God himself, can satisfy this longing.
The psalmist however, has rightly identified the the object of his desire. "My soul faints with longing for your salvation..." That void that is within us, that vacuum, is the result of sin. I've heard it described as a "God-shaped hole" and I believe that is an accurate depiction. The separation from God that was caused by Adam's sin figuratively created that space within us that we try to fill. I interpret 'salvation' to mean not only the avoidance of eternal damnation but more importantly the joy of eternal fellowship with God; it is the elimination of the separation.
Our need to eliminate this separation is so strong that we literally faint from the longing. For those pursuing satisfaction in the world, it is as though they are on an endless and eternal treadmill. At first, it is easy but then it gets progressively more difficult till all our strength is sapped and we literally faint from the exertion. Yet, the longing remains.
But the psalmist continues and explains "but I have put my hope in your word." This is the only response to our longing that offers complete and eternal satisfaction. It is the only 'treatment' that overcomes the fainting of our souls. And in securing our hope to His word, we find security, peace and respite. Our soul finds rest, renewal and regeneration. God's word is the ultimate hope for what was, is and will be.
If your soul is fainting from the pursuit, if your soul is fainting from the longing for the 'something' that fills that 'hole' within you, follow the example of the psalmist and put your hope where it belongs. Then you will find that what belongs in that 'hole' will fill you completely and make you whole.
Shalom,
Carl
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1 comment:
Carl ... your blog today became pretty personal for me.
Years ago now, my mentor, hearing of my past pursuits of sex to fill a hole deep in my heart, led me to a study of Psalm 119 where we read of a man who found out that he could find the hope God had in salvation by pursuing God's word. And that truth is found in the target verse for your blog.
And so, my mentor led me, as I did you later, into a headlong dive into God's word, teaching me how to memorize and meditate on the truths which would set me free.
And set me free they did; and that's why I begin each day, as you are learning too, by delving deeply, as Job outlined in Chapt 28 of his book, into the mind of God, seeking His wisdom, His will, and His way. And by filling my heart with God's word, I find that I can quell any discouragement and doubt which Satan may try to use to lead me to himself and to myself rather than my Savior.
Thanks for a great blog today ... <'BB><
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