Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. —Psalm 103:5-7
From Ponce de Leon’s quest for a fountain of youth, to modern-day gimmicks promising to erase wrinkles or boost energy, mankind has unsuccessfully sought a remedy to restore youth to our aging bodies.
But all along we need look no further than verse five of Psalm 103: "Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
God Renews
In this Psalm, David urges his very soul to rejoice that God grants him youth that keeps coming back, like that of an eagle. The eagle is the strongest of birds, flies at 200 mph, can look directly into the sun, and soars above the clouds. God is offering us strength when we are weak, fortitude to look into the eye of the storm, and peace to rise above our trials. It should come as no surprise to us that the One who created us also promises to renew our youth like this.
God Satisfies With Himself
Psalm 103:5 tells us that God satisfies us with good so that our youth is renewed. The two words 'so that' reveal that our satisfaction in God is the means that God uses to grant us His bottomless strength. The ‘good’ that is the source of our satisfaction is His presence and His plan for us, which are detailed in the next few verses. Nothing else but God can satisfy us; it’s how God designed us: "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made" (Isaiah 43:7).
God Works For Us
If that weren’t enough, God promises that He will do the work to accomplish His plans:
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. (Psalm 103:6-7)
Paul emphasizes that God even delights to show us His goodness by working for us and in us as we work for Him.
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
His Works Are Marvelous
In Psalm 103, David draws from the Exodus 34 account of God revealing to Moses His character and His intent to do marvelous works:
And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.” (Exodus 34:10)
God had a plan and was inserting Himself into the lives of His people. Let’s not miss that God wasn’t merely giving His people a pat on the back along the dusty path. By His works, God was showing off His marvels for all to see.
This is what He offers believers today. God is doing something in the midst of our struggle and He will accomplish His purpose. As we open our eyes in faith to see that it is Him at work, we also see the connection that He is satisfying us with good and renewing our strength like the eagle’s.
We are not working alone. It is no wonder God renews our strength like the eagle’s.
For Reflection
Are you allowing God to satisfy you with Himself, even in your struggles?
How has God worked in your past to renew your strength? Can this give you hope in your current situation?
What areas of your life do you need to surrender in faith to trust in God’s plan instead of your own?