Babies cry when they are hungry. Crying intensifies when they don’t get their milk. And then crying turns into screaming when they are really hungry. Adults don’t cry when they are hungry. But that physical need for food churns our emotions in a similar fashion. How was yours the last time you became really hungry when the alarm from your body clock went off?
“Our hearts always hunger for” are the words repeated from the concluding line of the song “Wonderful Merciful Savior”. The pandemic has pretty much confined our church life to online meetings. Has the alarm from your spiritual clock gone off? If not, have you checked if your spiritual alarm was somehow turned off? “Precious Redeemer and Friend” is the line after the “Wonderful, merciful Savior” opening line. A treasured personal and intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus. If you have missed the time you can spend with those that you are closest with during the pandemic lockdown, have you missed the time you’re with your precious Redeemer and Friend? The question is not intended to present a comparison, but to help us to ponder our spiritual need for God, our “Counselor, Comforter, Keeper”, words used in the first line of the second verse of the song. “Spirit we long to embrace” directs our attention to that very spiritual need.
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. “ (John 6:35) He is source of our spiritual bread that fills our spiritual hunger. But just as many who snacks throughout the day, our appetite is dulled by the snacks and we desire less of the nutritious main meals that sustain our health and wellbeing. Temptations from Satan, desires from our flesh, sins unconfessed and hidden all dull us from desiring our much needed spiritual food. Can you imagine you can survive on snacks alone day in and day out without your breakfast, lunch or dinner? For those who think you can, think again about your long term health. Can you imagine you can survive on earthly pleasures while forsaking having God in your life? For those who think you can, think again. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalms 139:7) Instead, just as David reflects upon his relationship with God, “You have given him his heart’s desire, And You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.” (Psalms 21:2)
A renown chef once responded in an interview when asked what the right portion of food should be served at his restaurant. His response was simply for the guests to leave wanting just another bite. You see, it’s not the portion, but the quality of the food that matters. Have you longed for that extra bite of spiritual food when you finished your quiet time, your prayer, your Bible study, or even your fellowship with each other? And you wished that it could have gone on just a little bit longer? Brothers and sisters, let us develop that spiritual appetite that enables us to grow and thrive in our walk with Christ, and experience that abundant life that He has prepared for us!
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