Column: Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is a good sign
Ever felt stagnant in your relationship with God? Like you are stuck in the mud? Unable to move? Not growing in your faith as you should be?
Hunger for God’s Word is a very good thing. It is a sign that we have a saving relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
We were born to consume God’s Word in large quantities. It’s one of the main tools God uses to help to know Him better. 1. Peter 2:2 (NIV) says, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
Psalm 119 is especially helpful for those who feel stagnant in their relationship with God. It describes how we benefit from God’s Word as we meditate upon it and apply it to our lives. It's all about the Word of God at work in a child of God.
Psalm 119:33-40 is known as the “He” stanza. Written around the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet - “He”. The main theme of these verses is the Psalmist’s eager, sincere desire that God’s Word will be the governing factor in each of his actions. He wanted to please the Lord, always. He is acutely aware of his dependence upon God’s help in his life.
Nine passionate pleas
These verses contain nine passionate pleas for God’s assistance. Teach me to follow your decrees. Give me understanding of the Word. Direct me in your paths. Turn my heart toward the Word of God. Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Preserve my life according to your Word. Fulfill your promise. Take away my disgrace. And again, it is repeated twice to get our attention, preserve my life Lord!
The Psalmist has a burden, a desire to seek God’s guidance. Not only that God will teach him the information that he needs. But also that the living Word of God will have a practical influence upon his life. These practical values we can list out as we read through these verses. These practical values produce obedience to God, a delight in God’s Word,an unselfishness towards others, long life, and a healthy fear of God.
Never walk away from the Bible unsatisfied. Keep reading it until you hear what God wants to tell you that day. Filled to the brim and running over. God’s Word is filling, satisfying. It is God breathed. Perfect in every way. Rightly understood and applied the Word of God will feed our soul with exactly what we need for every situation.
George Swain is the pastor at Grace Brethren Church of Homerville.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Hungering and thirsting for righteousness from God is a good thing
