Hungering and Thirsting
We all hunger and thirst every day. Whether it is breakfast time, whether it is lunch time, or whether it is supper time; we hunger and thirst every day. If we miss a meal, one of our favorite expressions is, “I am going to starve to death.” The truth be told, I could probably skip a meal every now and then and it would not hurt me, as a matter of fact, the Bible says that somethings only come by prayer and fasting; so it does not hurt us to skip a meal or two for the Lord.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
That is, the bread which gives life and preserves from death. The water that I shall give him. Jesus here refers without doubt to His own teaching; His grace, His spirit, and to the benefits which come into the soul that embraces His gospel. When we are lost without Christ our soul yearns for something more than what this world can give us, that is why we were always searching for something to fill the void, but once we put our trust in Jesus Christ, the void is filled.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
One thing that we cannot skip is our spiritual feeding, but our spiritual feeding depends on how much we desire the Word of God. The things that you desire are the things that will be most prominent in your life. After salvation, we find a new hungering and thirsting, that is hungering and thirsting after the things of God, to learn more and more about God so that we may be more and more like Him.
Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.
As one longs for water in a parched desert, so my soul longs for God, David was continually seeking God. He knew that true joy and true satisfaction only comes through God and that everything else in life will just leave us dry, barren, and desolate.
Psalm 107:8-9 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
As Christians, we should be hungering and thirsting after God. We should not be longing for the things of this world but after God. How do we learn more about God? Through His Word.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The Bible says that we are not supposed to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds, and that can only be done through the Word of God. Do not seek this world for happiness, for the world can only bring temporary pleasure.
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
God orders our steps, He delights in showing us the way. Have you been stumbling along lately and does the path always seem like it is not the right way?
Ask these questions:
- What have I been hungering and thirsting after?
- Have I been conforming to the world or conforming to God?
- Who orders my daily steps, is it I or God?
Psalm 119:103-105 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
May the Word of God guide you step-by-step, day-by-day, and may the Lord prosper your footsteps.