You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:16 niv)
We hear verses like this and immediately sense a divide. Within our hearts is a resounding “yes!” that affirms the truth of God’s goodness. And also within our hearts is a questioning “really?” that recalls times when desires went unfulfilled and hope was deferred far too long. We long for the ideal and lament the past experience. We believe while wondering if we really can.
Can we? Of course. Hope deferred may make the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12), but those who look to God are not put off forever (Psalm 34:5). But that’s the test, isn’t it? If we focus on the deferral, we grow despondent and lose faith. If we focus on his goodness, faith grows. And that focus has a lot to do with what we actually experience.
Learn how to focus on God’s goodness even while experiencing momentary disappointments. It’s a vital skill, and many never master it. If you can, you’ll find him opening his hand to satisfy desires, even some you never knew you had. His promises are rarely immediate, and the way you handle the wait is designed to prepare you for the fulfillment.
