Do you hunger for God? Do you hunger for His word? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? If you do not, then you are not spiritually healthy. The more you genuinely seek God, the more you will begin to crave the things of God.
Psalm 84:2 (NLT) I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Here are some guidelines for developing a hunger for God:
- Read God’s Word daily. The reason the Bible has outsold every other book, is that it is God’s Word. It takes approximately fifty-six hours to read through the entire Bible. If you read forty chapters a day you would complete the Bible within a month. If you read nine chapters of the New Testament each day, you would complete it within thirty days. If you read four chapters per day, you can read through the Bible in one year. But you must read it systematically, regularly, and expectantly.
Matthew 4:4 (NLT) But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Spiritual life, eternal life, just like physical life, must be fed, not by bread, but by the word of God.
- Pray! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
To pray without ceasing means at least three things: - there is a spirit of dependence that should permeate all we do
- pray repeatedly and often
- not giving up on prayer
- Spend time in God’s presence. James 4:7-10 (MSG) So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
- Desire to be planted in the house of the Lord. Psalm 92:13-14 (AMP) Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh [rich in trust and love and contentment];
I conclude with: “To hunger is to be human, but to hunger for God is to feed on Him. Hunger and thirst after His righteousness and feed on Him in your heart. Taste and see that the Lord is good; it is He who will fill you to satisfaction.” ― Joni Eareckson