Our appetites reflect much about our personality and spiritual condition. What we seek continually after reveals what guides the course of our lives. What consumes our thoughts that informs our behavior is our master (cf., Rom 6:16). Some desires are good and beneficial, while others deceive us and lead to a destructive end. The world indoctrinates us from the time we are toddlers to pursue goods, gold, and glory of the earth. Unfortunately, all these things are temporary and perish in this life. A person with an unhealthy craving for such are ensnared with many sorrows (1 Tim 6:9-10). Worst, we ultimately discover that a love for these things do not fulfill us (Ecc 5:10-12), but instead reveal the emptiness of the pursuit and a unquenched thirst for satisfaction.
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus defined what desires leads to true blessedness. It is those with a spiritual hunger who crave after his righteousness. Here are the attributes of what it looks like to desire God:
- We yearn after his mercy and forgiveness. Like in the “Parable of Pharisee & Tax Collector” (Lk 18:9-14), we do not come before God to justify our own righteousness and greatness, but rather in humility acknowledging our spiritual poverty. We need God to give us what we cannot earn nor deserve…..mercy and forgiveness of our sins. We are to hunger for this, as it is the first step in our restoration of fellowship with God. Yes, we need Jesus!
- We yearn for peace of mind and heart. Jesus taught that we will all have many trials and tribulations in this life. We are exhorted to bring our burdens and troubles to God always. Only he can bear the weight of them. He protects and preserves our faith in the midst of life’s storms. This is why Paul taught, (Phi 4:6-7), “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
- We yearn for purity and holiness. Though we have sin daily in our lives, we desire to be Holy as God as Holy. These desires comes from the Spirit that inhabits all believers.
All these attributes of spiritual hunger are rooted in one primary desire…..to have fellowship with God. He has promised the reward of godly contentment for those who diligently seek him for these things, thus, “…for you shall be satisfied.” Blessed are those who hunger for them and seek God to be fulfilled by him in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com