SOUL-THIRST

SOUL-THIRST

Perhaps the most familiar of Christ’s teachings were presented during the Sermon on the Mount, which contain The Beatitudes.  One especially significant saying describes the blessings that are part and parcel of a heart that is dedicated to a perpetual search for the things of God.  “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) 

 Kingdom Principle Number One: In order to nurture and sustain our Christ-Connection, we must develop a persistent thirst for His presence.  Many seek for His power; relatively few long for His presence.  David seems to be the biblical poster child for this mission-critical soul-thirst.  Despite personal issues and recurring challenges, he yearned for the intimate and life-changing presence of the Lord.  David’s prayer: “As the hart (the deer) pants after the water brook, so pants my soul after You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1)  David’s statement of desire for the things of God should be understood in light of the fact that the human soul is comprised of five distinct functions: mind, will, intellect, imagination and emotions.  In other words, every aspect of David’s soul was fully engaged in establishing spiritual union and authentic fellowship with God.

 Kingdom Principle Number Two: God summons believers to daily fellowship; the quality and quantity of our response is on us.  David prayed to God: “When You said, seek my face; my heart said unto You: Your face, Lord, will I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)  We have the same spiritual choice, and the potential benefits are enormous.  For in God’s presence, we find “forgiveness” (II Chronicles 7:14), “strength” (I Chronicles 16:11), “water” and “seed” (Isaiah 44:3), “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11) and “all things” (Matthew 6:33).

 Kingdom Principle Number Three: When dry places occasionally appear during our walk with God, our thirst for Him is potentially purified, intensified and actualized.  To wit, in David’s desert-place of tragedy and testing, he cried out with soul-force (spiritual passion) to the Father: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You: my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Your power and Your glory, so as I have seen You in the sanctuary.  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.” (Psalm 63:1-3)  Implicit in David’s words are key truths: 1) He did not always sense (feel) the manifest presence of God; 2) He had constant awareness of his absolute dependence upon God; 3) He acknowledged the sanctuary (the house and people of God) as necessary conduits to the power and glory of God, and 4) He resolved to praise God (despite sensory perceptions and feelings), based solely upon a scripturally sound and enduring faith.

 Kingdom Principle Number Four: That which we have soul-thirst for is that which we will consistently seek.  Point to Ponder: ‘What are you thirsty for these days?’  Pause one moment to reflect and think deeply.  Have you fallen head-over-heels for the affirmation of family and friends (or) for possible fortune and fame (or) for the acquisition of power and privilege (or) for a tawdry and temporary romantic relationship (or) for any other fleeting form of pleasure (or) for ________?  [Fill-in-the-blank with the ‘flavor’ you savor most].  

 I firmly believe that we are living in what the Bible classifies as “The Last Days.”  Christ will return soon to gather His people and judge this world.  In light of that, let’s resolve to SEEK HIM…as never before. (Deuteronomy 4:29 and II Peter 3:10-12)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!