Satisfied

Ps. 17: 18

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

 

What a wonderful place to be! Beholding His face and being satisfied with His likeness! When will this happen? Is he awaking from death and finding himself in the presence of God? Throughout the psalm David has asked the lord for vindication from unjust accusers. He knows that God has tried him, and he believes he has come out victorious. He purposes not to sin with his mouth! He has held fast to God so that his feet would not slip.

 

When he calls on God, he knows that God will answer and that God will show him steadfast love. He wants to be kept as the apple of God's eye. Moses used the same language in his song. He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; He encircled him, He cared for him, He kept him as the apple of his eye. In this passage it is speaking of care and boundaries. God will not let him wander to a place that He does not control. He also wants to be hidden in the shadow of His wings. Such glorious protection! He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. This reminds me of Ps. 139, You hem me in behind and before and lay Your hand on me. He will be constantly protected in the shadow of God's wings.

 

He concludes with asking the Lord to subdue these persecutors. He needs deliverance from them! As he describes these people, he develops a meaningful contrast. These men only have as their portion this life, its treasure, their children, and having enough substance to leave an inheritance to their children.  All things that are temporal and not lasting. They are caught in the web of the gathering more and more and basing their status and importance on what they have amassed. But David knows that his future is beholding God's face in righteousness and awaking [after death] in God's presence where he will be satisfied with His likeness for eternity. With God there is no heaping up of earthly treasures, there is only being satisfied in Him. He fills all the empty places within man with Himself. How glorious! Satisfaction is assured!

 

Father,

What a great relationship David had with You. As You grow me, keep me as the apple of Your eye and within the shadow of Your wings. Draw me ever closer to You.

In His name,

Amen