In the book of Matthew the writer recounts Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which starts with the beatitudes. In the beatitudes Jesus gives this blessing.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (NIV)
The CEV says, God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
Our want for righteousness comes directly from our want to know God more and personally. And while many Christians know Jesus, knowing him personally is hard for many. Some put up barriers and make excuses because we know getting closer to him will require trust from us. Some have pasts that need to be dealt with and a diagnoses made so they can see that God is good. Others believe they are good and need not move any closer to God because they have everything under control.
I can’t tell you where you are on the scale. For me it was a combination of being diagnosed with PTSD and starting to ask Jesus to reveal more of himself to me. For others it could be something I didn’t put here, but the bottom line is that if you want more of Him and believe He will give Himself to you, He will. (Matt7:7-12)
How can we be Christians and Not Want More of God?
Jesus told the woman at the well that he gives an internal, eternal spring. (John 4) but you have to drink from the spring to quench your thirst. I grew up in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. As a child I could walk for miles following small mountain springs and still be as thirsty as if I were in the desert. But, the second I reached down and scooped up the water into my mouth I was refreshed. You as a Christian have The God of the universe living inside you, so all you have to do is reach out and scoop up a hand full of Living Water and He will quench your thirst.
One of the greatest wants is the want we get once we have seen God work in us. It is very prominent when we are new believers, but as we forget to drink it wanes, and when we realize what has happened we drink again and see Gods good work in us making us want more of God again and again.
Question For The Walk:
Have I asked Jesus to come into my life and be Lord?
Do I really want more of God?
What do I need to do, or who do I need to talk to to get help in this process?
Am I thirsty because I see God working in my life?
About Steve Crenshaw
There were bad times in my life during my teens that I have come to realize that I lack the guidance and teachings of God. I was not a very active churchgoer unlike my mom and my other sisters before, but when I began to experience hardships emotionally, I had come to the realization that I have been suffering spiritually as well. I went to church with my mom and sisters, read a bit from the Bible each day, and soon after that I have begun to feel better (and loved) because I have realized that God has not left me.