Can't Get No Satisfaction

That was the claim of the Rolling Stones, at least. The song was a complaint about commercialism and about sexual gratification, but I think it's applicable to most of us.

This notion began before the Stones, of course. It began practically at the beginning.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:1-5)

Now, there are a few messages in there. It started with "Did God say ...?" Or, "Are you sure you can trust God?" There was "You surely will not die!" Or, "No, you can't trust God." Ultimately, it was, "God is holding out on you." Or, "You cannot be satisfied with God. You'll have to do that yourself." And thus it has been ever since.

We live dissatisfied. We want more. We want better. We want wealth, comfort, fame, power, whatever it is we think we need and don't have. We discard spouses thinking there's a more satisfying one elsewhere. We have to have what "they" have. We jump from god to god because we're confident, as Adam and Eve were, that the One God is not enough. Sex is a big problem for us because we seek satisfaction in it that was never intended and have to keep looking for something new -- from sexual immorality to sexual immorality. We "can't get no satisfaction," sexual or otherwise, because we have discarded the ultimate satisfaction we were originally given and made for. "No, God is not enough. I'll have to do this myself." It is our operating principle.

This is why Paul's statement is much more stunning than you and I initially realize.

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Php 4:11)

"Content in whatever circumstances"?? How is that possible? Given our natural condition of dissatisfaction, how does Paul arrive at complete satisfaction?

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Php 4:13)

No, this isn't the Prosperity Gospel. It isn't "I can do whatever I want and expect God to enable me." This is "I am satisfied in all circumstances because I have a living relationship with God." This is "I don't need any other satisfaction because God is sufficient." This is genuine, unassailable satisfaction.

The Stones told us what all humans feel: I can't get no satisfaction. Paul offers a solution. You can have it by immersing yourself in the contentment that a relationship with God can provide. You can have satisfaction by expecting God to be enough. And there is a backhanded warning there, too. Nothing else satisfies; if you reject the Maker's satisfaction, you will get none.