“And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:14)
The language Jeremiah uses in this passage is that of abundance—the soul is satiated, the people are satisfied, and the source of their satisfaction is the goodness of the Lord. That is to say, this abundance does not flow from His providential gifts or circumstances but rather from God Himself; He is the One who is enough for them. He is their portion, refuge, strength, and satisfaction.
This sufficiency extends to both our present life and the life to come. Here, believers may know the sustaining goodness of God under changing conditions. Hereafter, we shall behold His face in righteousness and be fully satisfied when we awake with His likeness. Present grace is real, but future satisfaction will be complete. The same God who supports His people now will Himself be their everlasting portion.
Israel in the wilderness had no natural store of bread, water, protection, or settled provision. Yet the Lord remained enough for them. He was their refuge, their help, their shield, and their defense. “The young lions may lack and suffer hunger, but those who fear the Lord shall not lack any good thing appointed for them,” (Psalm 34:10).
The goodness of God also appears in the renewing and flourishing of His people. He promises to be as dew to Israel, causing growth, beauty, rootedness, and revival. He gives life, strength, refreshment, fruitfulness, and preservation. Those who dwell under His shadow are sustained because the source of their life is not in themselves but in Him.
Satisfaction in God is closely connected with walking before Him which includes following His commands, submitting to His providence, depending upon His Spirit, and directing all things toward His glory. The soul satisfied with God is not inactive; it walks with Him.[1]
God Himself is the believer’s good. His gifts are precious because they come from Him, but they are not greater than the Giver. The soul may therefore bless Him in provision and want, in comfort and affliction, because beneath all changing circumstances remain His everlasting arms.
Contemplations:
- You Are More Than the Gifts You Give. You Yourself are my portion. I rejoice that my satisfaction does not finally depend on abundance, ease, health, recognition, or earthly security. These may change, but You do not. Your covenant goodness is deeper than circumstance. Teach me to receive Your gifts gratefully without making them my chief joy. Let every mercy lead me beyond the gift to the Giver, until my heart learns more fully what it means to be satisfied with Your goodness.
- Underneath Me Are Everlasting Arms. You upheld Israel where ordinary resources failed, and Your sufficiency was not diminished by the wilderness. That is comforting to me. My security does not rest in what I can presently see. You remain my refuge, help, shield, and strength. Give me a thankful heart that recognizes preservation not only in abundance, but also in the quiet ways You sustain me when circumstances offer little apparent reason for confidence.
- Your Goodness Makes the Soul Flourish. You do more than keep Your people alive. You revive, refresh, root, strengthen, and cause them to grow. I rejoice in the image of dew upon Israel, of renewed life and fruitful branches under Your care. Every strengthening of faith, every revived affection, every renewed desire for holiness testifies that You are still at work. Let me notice these quieter mercies, and make me grateful for every grace You provide.
- Walking with You Is Part of the Gift. Your goodness does not merely supply what I need; it draws me into fellowship with You. Reconciliation through Christ opens the way, spiritual life makes walking possible, and Your Spirit gives strength to continue. I am thankful that the Christian life is not obedience at a distance. You call me to walk before You, with You, and in dependence on You. Whether You appoint comfort or affliction, teach me to submit to Your providence while keeping Your glory as the great end of my life.
Prayer (Thanksgiving):
Father, I bless You for the abundance of Your goodness and for the promise that Your people shall be satisfied in You.
You are not only the giver of good things; You are Yourself the highest good. Every mercy I receive comes from Your hand, but none of those mercies can equal the worth of having You as my portion.
I praise You for sustaining Your people when outward resources fail. You were enough for Israel in the wilderness, and Your sufficiency has not diminished.
Like dew on dry ground, Your grace revives, strengthens, and causes growth. Every movement toward holiness, every renewed affection, and every perseverance in faith is evidence of Your goodness.
I bless You also for the privilege of walking before You. Through Christ, You reconcile sinners to Yourself. By Your Spirit, You give life and strength. Through Your commandments and providence, You direct the path.
Teach me to recognize Your goodness in both comfort and affliction, in abundance and want, in visible blessing and quiet preservation.
Do not let me seek satisfaction primarily in what You give but train my heart to find its rest in You.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Psalm 36:8; Jer. 31:25; Psalm 17:15; Eph. 1:3
[1] Gilbert Tennent, Twenty Three Sermons upon the Chief End of Man, Early American Imprints, 1639-1800; No. 5500 (Philadelphia: Printed and sold by William Bradford, at the Sign of the Bible in Second Street, 1744), 221-223.
