“God and God Alone”

     When we look to other human beings for the fulfillment and satisfaction of our hearts, we place upon them a pressure to perform they can never fulfill.  We also set ourselves up for crushing disappointment and disillusionment.  Moreover, we erect an altar to a pagan idol that deceives and distracts us from the living and true God.

      “I am thy God… He is thy life… O Lord, Thou art my refuge and my portion (Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 30:20; Psalm 142:5).

     Our Lord constituted us as social creatures, purposed to enjoy the presence, fellowship, cooperation and communication of other people.  Never, however, did He intend human beings to occupy a place in our hearts that He alone can fulfill.  Indeed, when we view someone other than God as “the joy and rejoicing of my heart,” we inadvertently mistake them as being that which only our Lord can be to us (Jeremiah 15:16). Certainly, people can serve as a blessed means ofexpressing His goodness to us, and should be appreciated accordingly. Never, however, can a human being serve as the essence of our heart’s fulfillment.  God reserves this singular role for Himself alone.  “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

     Wonderful things happen when we affirm God and God alone as source of our heart’s contentment.  First, we respond to Him in the love, worship, reverence and devotion for which He made and redeemed us. We also prepare ourselves for a life of inviolable joy and peace as we rightly confess with the Psalmist, “My expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5).  Finally, we begin to truly enjoy people, be it those closest to us, or mere passersby on the pathways of life. Since they no longer hold the key to our heart’s contentment, we can experience the joy known by our Lord.  He finds His joy and peace in Himself, and thus remains who and what He is regardless of the actions and reactions of others.  We also find our joy and peace in Him, and while others certainly influence us, they do not determine us.  God does, and for life, contentment, fulfillment, tranquility and purpose, we joyfully exult with the Psalmist…

“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.  Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips.” (Psalm 63:1-5)