Anxious souls generally begin at the wrong end. They begin with themselves, instead of beginning with God. It is their doings, their feelings, their satisfaction--themselves, in some way or another; and often it is a very long time before they learn to turn from themselves to look at Gods side: yet they never can find peace of conscience and joy of heart until they do. We are continually meeting such cases.

We ask them. "Are you saved?"

They reply, "I hope so.

"But are you not sure about it?

“Well, not exactly; I only wish I were. I am asking for it, and praying for it; but I can't say I'm sure. I don't seem to get satisfied.”

Oh, the numbers there are in this condition--praying, seeking and trying to get satisfied! It is all of self! They are putting the cart before the horse, and are surprised because they can't get it to go. Of course not! The Gospel begins with God, not with us. Look at that well-worn but unexhausted 16th verse of the 3rd of John as an example: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It begins with God. God loved--God gave. We believe--and we have everlasting life.

Start then with God! See how His claims have been met--how He has been glorified--how He has been satisfied: then you may well be satisfied when you have learned that He is.

I remember, sometime ago. meeting a young sailor in this very condition. He had been in that state for about three years. He had been seeking, and praying, and trying to feel satisfied. And what do you think delivered him at last, and made him perfectly happy? Just one simple fact which he had overlooked the whole of those three years.

Do you ask what it is?

It is the fact that God is satisfied. Now just think of it: turn it over and over in your mind, read it slowly, and let your poor. weary heart take it in.

GOD IS SATISFIED.

"Oh," said the sailor, as his face brightened. "I never thought of that before--God is satisfied."

"Yes," I said, "He was the party offended by your sins. You were the offender. Jesus came to satisfy God's holy and righteous claims by dying for our sins, and He did that work perfectly. And God has proved His satisfaction in the person and work of Christ by raising Him from the dead. He has taken Him out of the grave, and thereby proved He is satisfied. And it was all for you! Surely. if God is satisfied with the work of His Son, you may be also!

"I see quite clearly where you are making your mistake,” I continued. “You are trying to be better and feel different, trying to work yourself up to a certain state of happiness, and then feel satisfied with your own joy; and because you are always falling and never arriving at the standard you have set up, you are dissatisfied.

"Now just suppose a man buys goods at a shop to the amount of five dollars. and then he gets into difficulties and is unable to pay. He cannot pay the debt himself, and he is not aware that anyone has paid it for him: and so you find him going about saying, ‘Oh, if I could only get satisfied!' You would say to him at once, `My friend, you never can be satisfied until you have paid your debt. or someone has paid it for you. The storekeeper must have payment and be quite satisfied first."

"But now supposing a kind-hearted friend goes to the storekeeper and pays the bill, and obtains the receipt and sends it to the man; he would not sit down and look at the receipt and say, ‘If only I could feel satisfied.’ Of course not! He would know the five dollars was paid, for the storekeeper had given his receipt: and thus the proof of the storekeeper's satisfaction would give him satisfaction."

"Thus it is in the Gospel. The Savior who stood in our place, was ‘delivered for our offences' (He had none), and was raised again for our justification’ (Romans 4:25). So the risen Christ is God's receipt for me. He is satisfied, and so am I. Now, why should you not be this very moment, and give Him the thanks and praise?"

“It was sweet to see the effects of this truth on the sailor as his heart drank it in. He was filled with “joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13), seeing that "God is satisfied." And looking at me with a face beaming with joy, he said, "I see it all--God is satisfied. I can go home and thank Him for that."

Now, dear anxious reader, you have read thus far; will you lay down this tract and say, "I wish I could get satisfied?"

Never, never, never will you be satisfied until you have believed that God has found infinite satisfaction in the work of Christ on the cross for you. "He bore our sins in His own body on the tree" (I Peter 2:24). He cried out on the cross, "IT IS FINISHED!" and died (John 19:30). But, thank God He is risen again, and exalted to "the right hand of God" (Acts 2:32, 33). Yes! "This man after He had offered one sacrifice for ... sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12), from whence God sent the Holy Ghost to give this witness to all believers. “Their sins and iniquities will I remember NO MORE" (verse 17).

Matchless Savior! Thy work is done. Once was sufficient for God, and once is sufficient for me. I can meet God now with joy, for Thou hast answered every question and settled every claim, and introduced me to that blessed God who rejoices over me with joy, who rests in His love and joys over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Yes! The way in which He receives the poor, dissatisfied, repentant, returning prodigal, covering him with kisses, clothing and feasting him--tells out the satisfied heart of a satisfied God.

Dear, anxious soul, try no longer to do anything; wait no longer to feel anything; but rest where God rests--in Christ, who has so glorified Him at the cross that He can send a message of love to you, and say, "God is satisfied." Now are you?

For more information or for a spiritual discussion contact:

Bruce Collins

3828 Memory Lane

Waterloo, IA 50701-9351

Phone 319-230-9140

or email

collinsbd@hotmail.com