"My father, the Reverend A. J. Shea, and I were on an afternoon shopping trip for Mother, as I recall. When we came out of a store in Houghton, New York, where we had recently moved from Winchester, Ontario, we met a tall, elderly woman making her way slowly up the street. She was walking in that slow, mincing step older people sometimes do, cautious not to lose balance.
"Dad tipped his hat and said good day to her as we passed. She stopped and looked up to see who was speaking. Smiling sweetly, she returned his greeting.
"'Do you know who that was, son?' he asked me on up the way. I turned and watched as she continued her careful progress. Though a distinguished woman, I had no idea who she was.
"'That,' said Dad, 'was Mrs. Clara Tear Williams. She writes hymns.' There was a near reverence in his voice, and though I was only eight years old, I was duly impressed. Already, I was fascinated by music and anyone who was involved in it . . .
"When Dad and I got home that afternoon, I told Mother about meeting Mrs. Williams, the hymnwriter. She smiled knowingly and nodded her head. Then she went to the piano bench and found a hymnal that contained one of Clara Tear Williams' compositions.
"She explained that Mrs. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist like us, had written the words, but that the music had been written by Ralph E. Hudson, an Ohio publisher who also was an evangelistic singer.
"A few years later, when I was in my teens and began to sing solos, I memorized the hymn that Mother played that day and sang it. It was entitled ‘Satisfied.’"
George Beverly Shea also said: “She [Williams] had a regal and dignified bearing and yet she had the kindness and gentleness of Christ in her face. I enjoyed the soft, musical tones of her voice. Through her sweetness and graciousness to everyone, she became another wonderful proof to me of the reality of the Christian walk. Hers was a beautiful life exhibited not only to the whole community but expressed also in the pages of hymnody.”
Mrs. Clara Tear Williams, as a young woman, was a schoolteacher. She suffered an attack of tuberculosis but fully recovered from it and for several years engaged in evangelistic work in several North Central states.
Williams said: “I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote ‘Satisfied.’ In the morning, he composed the music."
In 1895 she married the Reverend W.H. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, and until his death thirty years later labored with him in serving churches in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Commission of her church which compiled Sacred Hymns and Tunes, in 1897.
Enduringword.com: The effect of this water does much more than simply satisfy the thirst of the one who drinks it. It also creates something good, something life-giving in the heart of the one who drinks it. It becomes a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.
Biblerepository.com: Jesus says that if we drink of the water He provides, we will never thirst again. This represents a complete satisfaction that comes not from earthly things but from a relationship with Him. There is an implication that our souls can be filled and fulfilled by Him in a way that nothing else – not achievements, wealth, or even relationships – can ever accomplish. This “well of water springing up” symbolizes the continuous flow of His grace, love, and sustenance in our lives, giving us strength and vitality day by day. This living water becomes a source of life within us.
Bibleoutlined.com: A longing can relate to spiritual desires—ways in which we yearn for a connection to God, as well as emotional and physical aspirations. The fulfillment of such longings is depicted as “sweet,” a metaphor that elicits feelings of joy. We experience this sweetness when we pray for something and see our prayers answered, reinforcing our faith and hope . . . let us strive to identify and pursue our longings while also remaining mindful of the paths we take to achieve them. Are they leading us toward fulfillment in life, or are they luring us into destructive patterns? . . . Ultimately, by aligning our hearts with goodness and embracing change, we gain access to the sweetness life offers. Let us prioritize wisdom, foster our good desires, and move away from things that bring negativity around us. If we do so, we are sure to find ourselves experiencing a life filled with joy and fulfillment.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: God consistently sustains the fallen, uplifts the oppressed, and provides for all. Therefore, every person looks to God for His provision of his or her needs. Since God’s dominion is everlasting, He cares for His creatures faithfully and lovingly all the time.
Godsbless.ing: This verse serves as a reminder of the abundance and provision that comes from the Lord. It emphasizes the belief that God’s care and generosity extend to all living beings, fulfilling their needs and desires. The reference to “every living thing” shows the universal scope of God’s benevolence, highlighting the idea that no one is overlooked by His care. This verse also underscores the concept of contentment and satisfaction that comes from relying on God for our needs, trusting in His perfect provision for us . . . It encourages us to have faith that God will provide for us, satisfying our true needs and leading us to a place of contentment and fulfillment. This verse ultimately inspires gratitude and trust in God’s constant care and provision for each of us.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance.
Bibleoutlined.com: This verse from the book of John carries deep significance, as it encapsulates the essence of Christ’s mission and His invitation to humanity. Here, Jesus refers to Himself as the “bread of life.” This phrase not only symbolizes sustenance but also spiritual nourishment. Just as bread is a fundamental source of physical nourishment for the body, Jesus presents Himself as the fundamental source of spiritual fulfillment for the soul. He assures us that if we come to Him, we will never experience hunger or thirst, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. This means that when we accept Christ and believe in Him, our deepest needs for love, meaning, and purpose will be met. In essence, Jesus promises that He alone can satisfy our heartfelt longings in ways that worldly things cannot. The invitation here is open, welcoming all who seek satisfaction and fulfillment in life’s journey.
Godsbless.ing: Salvation through Jesus Christ is made possible because He is the only name by which we can be saved. Jesus is our mediator, the one who sacrificed Himself for our sins on the cross, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Through faith in Jesus, we can be redeemed and receive the gift of eternal life. It is by His grace alone that we are saved, not by our own works or merit . . . When we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior, believing in Him and confessing our sins, we receive the promise of salvation. We become children of God by accepting Him into our hearts. This act of faith in Jesus is the foundational step towards salvation, leading us into a personal relationship with God and securing our eternal destiny in heaven. We will continue to seek Him, obey His teachings, and live out our faith in Jesus Christ as we strive to walk in His ways and share the hope of salvation with others.
By His Grace . . .
