What satisfies you?

While reading Psalm 17 this morning, I came across some great little nuggets that I want to share with you:

vs. 1, the Psalmist says he's not going to pray with "feigned lips". Honestly, when we lie to God when we are praying that's probably one of the stupidest times we lie. Think about it . . . God already knows everything, including what's on our heart and here we are talking to him and lying right to his face! Have you ever had someone lie right to your face and while they are speaking you know they are lying! What goes through your head? Do you really listen to what they are saying? NO! you don't. You're probably aggravated at them for daring to lie to your face, yet we do it all the time in our prayers . . . don't lie to God, He knows when you are and I bet he doesn't even want to listen to your prayer after you start lying to Him!

vs. 3, the Psalmist says that he "purposed that my mouth shall not transgress". You know we have to purpose that too. Purpose here means to have a thought, plan or consider. You have to think before you speak. You also need to have a plan about what you are going to say so you won't sin. Consider before you speak. It would be much better to pause and look a little foolish than to blurt out everything on your mind. In Proverbs it tells us that a fool uttereth all his mind. Don't be a fool. Purpose to not sin with your mouth!

Then the last nugget, this is probably my favorite. vs. 15 says, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness." Romans 8:28, 29 tells us that God is doing a work in our life that is good for us as it conforms us to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5 tells us to have the mind of Christ. We are to be like God, to walk in His presence. That truth eluded me for several years. . . partly because in my dreamer girl state of mind I complicated it. I thought walking in God's presence was close to something the ghostbusters must have experienced when they were in the presence of a ghost. But it's not anything like that. It's much easier, and yet a little harder than that. It is being completely right with God. That means the books I read, the music I listen to, the internet I browse, the movies/tv I watch, the places I go, the things and amount of things I eat, the words I say, etc. are right with God, are Christ honoring, are something I wouldn't mind doing with Jesus sitting right there next to me.  Now, that is hard. It really can be especially if you are attached that that series of books that doesn't honor God or if you really want to go see that movie that isn't the best, or if you desperately want to eat that 4th cupcake, etc. But I love that God gives us a promise in this verse, ". . .I shall be satisfied…" Are you satisfied? If not, you can be. Sure maybe you have to change some things but isn't it great that God not only tells us what to do, but he helps us do it! And we feel better afterwards. When you seriously consider it, do those books, those cupcakes, that music, that internet, that movie, etc. really bring satisfaction? Typically things of the world leave us empty and wanting more, but Jesus tells us that we can be filled when we come to Him. I would much rather give up the things I think I want to have the things I need and truly are desiring! Don't settle for less, choose God and you will be happy and satisfied every time!