He Satisfies the Longing Soul

Our souls long for what only Christ can fill.

"Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things" (Psalm 107:4-9).

Photo by Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

Today we are remembering—because we so easily forget. Seasons of dryness come, and with them, the temptation to believe that God has forgotten us. We know He’s been faithful before, but in the wilderness, our hearts grow weary, and doubt creeps in.

The Psalmist gives us a picture: God’s people, wandering in a desert. Hungry. Thirsty. Lost. Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you’re there right now—spiritually dry, relationally isolated, emotionally drained. You long for relief, but nothing seems to satisfy.

And yet, they cried out to the Lord in their trouble—and He delivered them. Notice, they didn’t cry out in strength. They didn’t have a plan. They had no ability to rescue themselves. They cried out because they had nothing—and the Lord was drawn to their need.

That’s how God works. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The Lord is not looking for those who have everything figured out. He is drawn to those who know they are empty. His strength rushes to meet our weakness. His fullness delights to satisfy our thirst.

Jesus himself welcomes us by saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He notices the weary. He knows the fainthearted. And he offers himself to us fully by faith in the gospel, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Our souls long for what only Christ can fill. And he is happy to fill us!

Father, today we come in our need. We confess our thirst, our hunger, our emptiness. But we rejoice, knowing you are the God of fullness who fills us in Christ. You are near to the humble, strong for the weak, and overflowing in goodness toward the undeserving. So today, we come—not strong, but needy. And we trust You to satisfy us again. Amen.