but understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. for people will be … unappeasable, [2 timothy 3:1-3]
according to scripture, we are in the last days, that is we are in the season before Christ returns. and in this season, God warn us things will be difficult – we will be in an ongoing spiritual war. in the first two verses, paul is warning timothy, his son in the faith, the type of people he will face in this war. then in verse three he uses the word unappeasable.
unappeasable – irreconcilable, never satisfied with any outcome.
what a person to encounter in this spiritual war. they are never satisfied. let’s make it personal. these will be children in your home, spouses in your bed, brothers in your room, co-workers, neighbors, and more. how do we engage this person as a Christ follower? if we are not careful, this person who is never satisfied can make us want to live un-like a Christ follower. they can stretch our patience, tug on our self-control, and at times make our mouth want to say crazy hurtful things. this is not the call God has for us in Christ when we encounter the unappeasable.
“what’s it matter how we treat them or think about them” you may ask? first, God’s name is at stake. you and i wear his name and because of that we bring fame or defame his name with our thoughts and actions. second, there are always others watching and being discipled by our actions. they are learning how to love the unloveable by our actions and our heart in our actions. it matters. so today, let’s sit in the presence of God and ask him to transform our heart so our thoughts and actions can follow as we encounter the hard to love, never satisfied, unappeasable’s of the world. feast on his words below. ask him to grow your affection for him today as you see how he has loved you thru seasons when you were never satisfied.
blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! [psalm 65:4]
satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. [psalm 90:14]
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 107:8-9]
for I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” [jeremiah 31:25]
but it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him (Jesus) and cause him grief. yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. he will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. when he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. and because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. [isaiah 53:10-11]
come LORD, fill our hearts with your inexhaustible love and your all-satisfying presence. from this, may we love the unloveable, and those who never can be satisfied. may we engage, may we love, may we treat with grace the unappeasable. in Jesus’ name, amen!
~ john ryan