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Psalm 4

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There are many who say, "Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!"
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
Psalm 4:6-7

I find my heart asking this question all the time: where can I find a lasting, satisfying good? There are good things around me all the time, and I enjoy them.

I love a good cup of coffee in the morning. I love spending time with Lauren and my kids doing fun things. I love physical exercise, especially riding my mountain bike. I love a good book or a good movie or a good day of sunshine.

You know what sounds great right now? A good almond croissant.  I love a good almond croissant. Light and flaky. The sweetness of powdered sugar. The crunch of thin cut almonds.

But this is what I know - everyone of those good things will pass. They are good for a moment, or even for many moments. I eat the croissant, but I get hungry again. I enjoy time with my wife, but then we fight. I laugh with my kids, but then there are times of tears.

The grain and wine of my life abound, but it isn't enough. My heart craves something more - something deeper, and more permanently satisfying.

And it is right here: in Christ. His love for me, his delight over me - gives me more joy than any earthly pleasure.

The problem is that I like my need for joy to be met quickly. I want my croissant, and I want it now. So I grow impatient with my wife and kids. I eat when I'm not hungry or run to my bike instead of to God to deal with my angsty lack of satisfaction.

And yet, I am continually invited back into God's presence - and I can attest, those moments of deep satisfaction in him are more satisfying and do more to awaken a true and deep hunger for joy in me than all the other experiences combined.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you are good. Because you are good, I don't have to figure out how to calm the insatiable craving within me with things that just can't do it. You, Lord, are the creator and giver of all good things - lead my heart to be satisfied in you today even as I enjoy the things you have given.
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