November | 2018 |

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6).

When Jesus made this statement, there were multitudes following him (cf. Matt. 5:1). Looking inside those numbers one would find that not all who followed were there for spiritual reasons. Ultimately, some would no longer follow him (cf. John 6:66).

There are all kinds of appetites of men today. People are eager to fill the many restaurants and cafes of the land. People are eager to fill the shopping areas to engage in “retail therapy.” People are zealous for all the sports and leisure that can be provided. How is the appetite of spiritual things in the world today? Consider three thoughts along these lines.

A Closeness to God. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Ps. 42:1-2). Here is a person who has a strong spiritual appetite. Assembling with the saints to worship is vitally important to him. He states further, “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday” (Ps. 42:4). This is the same attitude as David said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122:1). The close relationship to God every day made the times of worship that much more special. Those who faithfully assemble know how vital it is to be close to God.
A Craving for the Bible. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2-3). One can truly see the intensity of the appetite for the word in this passage. No words can do for man what the Bible does. David stated, “I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments” (Ps. 119:131). Read also these passages from Psalm 119 which involve a strong spiritual appetite for the word (Ps. 119:16, 20, 24, 35, 40, 47, 48, 70, 72, 77, 92, 97, 103, 111, 113, 119, 127, 128, 129, 140, 143, 159, 162, 163, 165, 167, 174). It is truly as Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
A Continual Prayer Life. David wrote, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit” (Ps. 143:5-7). The man after God’s own heart (cf. 1 Sam. 13:14) would well understand the exhortation, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). Prayer is that avenue of communication to God that gives strength to the heart and mind. Paul wrote, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). Jesus valued prayer. All the apostles sought God through it. Strong Christians are made stronger in it. While the world today is saturated in communication tools of electronic technology, none satisfy like God.