What are You Hungry For?

I spent some time with a pregnant daughter the other evening and she was hungry and thirsty for “something” that she just couldn’t satisfy. She tried to make a hot chocolate that would satisfy, but “that wasn’t it.” She tried some yogurt, we fried up a pan of bacon. Still not “it.”

 There are new demands on my daughter’s body as this baby grows and develops, and the messages are being sent so that momma would desire what she and baby need right now. And this is happening. She is wanting red meat, which prior to this pregnancy, was a craving she would never have expected.

 I love how our physical body gives us examples to ponder in relation to our spiritual needs. As a Christian, our spirits need, and should crave, the Word of God. There can be nothing else that can satisfy the longing in our souls which should be hungry and thirsty for more of God.

 Jesus teaches in that great Sermon, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

 David, in that great Psalm 119, exalts the Word of God, with stanza after stanza, verse after verse, exclaiming the power and faithfulness of the Scriptures.

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130

“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” Psalm 119:140

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:114

 In the book of John, we see how Jesus is the Word that came in flesh to show us the way back to a personal relationship with His Father, the only true God that made us. And tells us He was there when everything in the entire creation came to be by His great creative power.

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.”   John 1:3

 Do you see how the Word gives us what we need when we feel hungry and thirsty in our souls? When the way is dark and we can’t find our way out. When we just can’t understand what our priorities should be. When we need a place to feel safe, protected, hopeful.

 We will find our answers in His Word. By the examples of others that came before us. This is not a book that shares only the perfect parts of people. In fact, it exposes all the ugly while pointing to the beautiful plan of redemption for those who put their faith in the God that redeems and turns all things around for His glory and our good. (Romans 8:28) By the parables that cause us to ponder how the earthly stories of Jesus have a heavenly meaning that can lead, guide and direct us on this side of Heaven. By the probabilities in the Proverbs. The wisdom that can only come from a good God that loves us.

 You won’t be able to satisfy your soul with physical, fleshly comforts. In fact, when we try to fill that soul-need up with more food, more exercise, more material possessions, (you fill in your own obsession), it will refuse to be satisfied and will only want more and more and bring you down. I know, I’ve done it and do it and have to repent again and again. I have to ask myself, “Why? What are you really hungry for?” And the answers is always, “More of you, God, more of You.”

I open my Bible and I find what I really need. I need the multifaceted character of God’s Word. I need the teaching, the directing, the testimony of God about Himself. I need the instructions or assignments He has for me, the permanent and unchangeable regulations that apply to a small girl who tries to walk in a way that pleases Him. I need His judgements, His decisions about my behavior and not someone else’s. I need His revelations about my future, His promises to me about His presence and purpose for me. And His plan to take me to my real home, Heaven.

 God’s Word gives me hope and help, peace and protection, strength and salvation. It fills me again and again because just as this physical body needs to take breath after breath, requires calorie after calorie, drink after drink, my spirit needs renewed, day by day, moment by moment.

 Dear friend, ask yourself what you are really hungry and thirsty for today. And go to the well of His Word, get filled up, share it with others and come back for more. I promise you, it will never run dry.