We love to express our hunger
for God in worship, especially during tender moments of corporate worship...
Goosebumps all aglow. Hunger for God is described in the Beatitudes:”Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” In
the Greek this passage expresses a dichotomy between the two states of
“unquenchable desire” and “complete satisfaction”, portraying a deep consuming
growing hunger, abundantly satisfied yet never relieved... the hunger growing
with each filling. This dichotomy where opposites occur simultaneously can only
exist in the Kingdom. “Spiritually
prosperous are the ones who continually crave right standing with God, because
they themselves shall be filled so
as to be completely satisfied, while ever wanting more.” (Matt. 5:6, John’s
translation).
So… are these worshipful expressions of hunger indicative of true
spiritual reality or spiritual blindness: Have we reduced our hunger for God
down to a few moments of weekly worship? Just how hungry are we? How we spend
our time is a good prognosticator of where our heart is, telling the real story
of our passion for God. Am I passionately pursuing God in worship, prayer, and
study of His word, mind set on things above... preoccupied with God and His
Kingdom 24/7? Do I have righteous fruit bearing witness to my hunger for God?
Or am I a Sunday Wonder, preoccupied with watching TV, playing with my toys,
having the good life now? “Talk is Cheap”, as they say. But God is saying,
“Draw near to Me, and I will draw near to you.”
A heart set on the riches, pleasures, non-spiritual desires and cares of
Earth-Life is not hungry for God – these pursuits will soon suffocate the
Kingdom-Life within. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. When we pursue the
one pursuing us... we run into His open arms. Without pursuit... without
hunger, we are running away from God’s pursuit -- running from the lover of our
soul. We deceive ourselves if we think lip service will fool God -- that
Goosebumps are some kind of affirmation of our life -- that professed hunger
without the accompanying works and fruit demonstrating real hunger... is
somehow OK. Faith without works is dead... ditto hunger. Saints, it is time for
some Self examination... time to drag Self screaming and whimpering to the
Cross of Christ, for God is saying: “Behold, I stand at
the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in
to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” God is seeking God seekers, and
He rewards them by being found… with His presence!
SPIRITUALLY PROSPEROUS:
UNQUENCHABLE DESIRE MEETING COMPLETE SATISFACTION
(James 4:8; Rev. 3; 20; Heb. 11:6)
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