Really, really hungry. Like, my hands are shaky, my head hurts, I think I might faint, and my stomach feels like I’ve swallowed a piranha and it’s gnawing its way out hungry.
In God’s mercy, hunger like this has never been a regular part of my life. But there have been times when I’ve been so distracted by the ache of my empty stomach that I could think of nothing else.
Genuine hunger is all consuming.
As Christians, we experience a different type of hunger. This hunger manifests itself in different ways.
It’s the ache in our souls when we see those we love running from Jesus straight into the arms of Satan.
It’s the knife blade to our heart when we see our beloved country signing legislation dooming tiny babies to death in their mother’s wombs.
It’s the howling hole in our being that weeps over those following the siren song of materialism, success, and power instead of sacrifice, service, and humility.
It’s the red-hot pulse of anger as we watch loved ones battle cancer and children die of disease.
It’s the feeble whimper that longs for mercy, grace, and kindness in a world of anger, vengeance, and cruelty.
C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity explained it this way:
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Jeremiah 31:25 describes a dream the prophet had of days to come. God said, “For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."
Satiated the weary soul.
The word satiate (SAY-she-ate) means to fill to the top, to satisfy with abundance. Referring to liquid, it means to drink to the full.
When we’re satiated, we have no room for anything else. Not an ounce, a drop, or a smidgen. Think Thanksgiving-dinner-until-you-almost-burst kind of full.
This is how God promises to satisfy our weary souls—filled to the top with His goodness and joy and no room for anything else. No sorrow. No tears. No longing. No fears. No hurt. No anger. No regrets.
We’ll no longer grieve for prodigal children or weep over aborted babies. Anger will no longer consume us because of disease and death. We will cease to mourn our country’s moral failures and its departure from all that is good.
God will satiate our weary souls and make everything right again. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
If your soul is weary, and your heart hurting, take comfort in this today.
Does Your Faith Need Refreshing?
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
As Christians, we experience a different type of hunger. This hunger manifests itself in different ways.
It’s the ache in our souls when we see those we love running from Jesus straight into the arms of Satan.
It’s the knife blade to our heart when we see our beloved country signing legislation dooming tiny babies to death in their mother’s wombs.
It’s the howling hole in our being that weeps over those following the siren song of materialism, success, and power instead of sacrifice, service, and humility.
It’s the red-hot pulse of anger as we watch loved ones battle cancer and children die of disease.
It’s the feeble whimper that longs for mercy, grace, and kindness in a world of anger, vengeance, and cruelty.
C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity explained it this way:
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Jeremiah 31:25 describes a dream the prophet had of days to come. God said, “For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul."
Satiated the weary soul.
The word satiate (SAY-she-ate) means to fill to the top, to satisfy with abundance. Referring to liquid, it means to drink to the full.
This is how God promises to satisfy our weary souls—filled to the top with His goodness and joy and no room for anything else. No sorrow. No tears. No longing. No fears. No hurt. No anger. No regrets.
We’ll no longer grieve for prodigal children or weep over aborted babies. Anger will no longer consume us because of disease and death. We will cease to mourn our country’s moral failures and its departure from all that is good.
God will satiate our weary souls and make everything right again. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.
If your soul is weary, and your heart hurting, take comfort in this today.
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
I continue to wait for that anointing; in expectant anticipation and boundless joy. I pray to not only be filled in times distant, but filled to overflowing so others might see the glory of God in me. Such a long way to go. Am blessed to have friends like you and Pastor David along the journey. It makes travel so much easier and the burden lighter.
ReplyDeleteOh, some days . . . I get so homesick for heaven. To ARRIVE instead of continuing on the journey. Until then, we'll help each other along the way, Aaron and Hur holding up Moses' hands when he grows weary . . .
DeleteI long for that time, Lori!! Amen!
ReplyDeleteLori, what a powerful description of our need for God and a beautiful description of His omnipotence. Your conclusion offers hope as we grow weary of injustice and evil in the world which is not or home.
ReplyDelete