How do you stay hungry for God? That’s easy to answer. Never be satisfied with the world, the flesh, or the devil, and always strive for something beyond what you can attain on your own. As long as you are content and satisfied with the many things you can do, you’ll always be a step away from God.
We hunger for something because we need it. If we are happy enough with the things money can buy, or TV and computers can supply, or our hands can make, we’ll never really be hungry for God.
Those who are hungry for God are those who are in need a lot. They are ministering to others and see their many weaknesses. They are in a foreign place, unable to depend on the things that work in “real” life. Their words seem inadequate; they never have enough strength or goods or funds to bring the work to completion. If you desire to minister to others and make a difference in their lives, then you’ll know your need of God when you find that your own clever methods don’t work; your compassion is lacking; your philosophical reasons don’t persuade them. You’ll be hungry for God when you feel your own lack.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. This happens when we truly desire to be more like Jesus, are honest about our many shortcomings, and see the urgency to deal with sin severely.
Those who are shut up in their homes with plenty to do to occupy themselves will seldom ever be hungry for God.
The rich young ruler wanted eternal life, but his riches (and we are far richer than he was in his day), kept him from following hard after God. Jesus was in the house, but “Martha, Martha” was too busy to spend time with Him.
Spend much time with God, especially in His Word, and praying about what the Word says and reveals about you and God. Let this time show you something greater than yourself, something that means you must cast yourself wholly on God in order to get it. And never forget that God Himself is our exceedingly great reward.
