What do I thirst for?

What does it mean to hunger or thirst? Is it merely a human feeling that lets a person know that they are lacking the nourishment needed to survive (food and water)? If one doesn't eventually heed to those bodily warnings (by not eating or drinking) for an extended amount of time they risk malnourishment, dehydration, and possibly even death. What happens, however, if one ignores their spiritual hunger and thirst? God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained it for our natural cravings to point to great spiritual lessons. We must everyday ensure that we are desiring spiritual noursishment for a lively spiritual life in Christ. Be aware though, the more a person thirsts and hungers for the things of the world it correlates to a lessening of the thirst for spiritual things.

As a young man, it is very tempting to be enamored with the things that the world have to offer: money, cars, clothes, fame, power, and much more. Even our savior Jesus was shown these same temptations in Matthew 4:8, and the question then and now is "what do I thirst for"? If Christ had a stronger thirst for the things of the world then denying this offer from the devil would have been difficult, but we know that Jesus desired the spirit more than anything. Jesus showed in John 4:32-33 that He was much more interested in the things of God over the things of this life. Even nonsinful, natural, God-given desires are trumped by a yearning for the spiritual things of God to Jesus.

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

I myself want to increase my thirst for God, it has become dull, barely alive. I feel the Lord telling me, as He told the church of Sardis in Revelation 3:2

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

I want to strengthen the things that remain; and not only that, we serve a God who can quicken the things which are dead! Here are three verses that I will be meditating on to increase my thirst for the Lord:

  • Psalms 42:1-2
  • Psalms 63:1
  • Isaiah 55:1 As Psalms 63 points out, our thirst is to see God’s power and glory. His power is—, and His glory is revealed by Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6, Hebrews 1:3).

Prayer Points

  • Repent for lack of thirst and letting spiritual things die (prayer, reading the word, etc.)
  • Ask the Lord to quicken those things back to life.
  • Ask the Lord to increase your thirst for Him.