March 24, 2022 -- Hebrews 11:6 -- Hunger and Thirst

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Those who believe in God seek Him. When you encounter God, it is the Spirit’s presence in you, awakening your soul so that the Scriptures live for you. What follows is a zeal to know Jesus Christ, through Whom you are called a beloved son or daughter of God. You will have an insatiable curiosity about Him, you will seek Him with the intensity of a parched man imbibing water.

Pew Research reported that in 2018 55% of Canadians called themselves “Christians”. What is fascinating is Statscan reported, in 2005, that only 21% of Canadians, 15 years old and over, claimed to attend church once a week. Do you see the discrepancy? How meaningful is the self-identification of “Christian” if one does not desire to please God, nor does he draw near to Him in worship?

Yes, I can hear you protest, but you don’t have to go to church in order to be a Christian. That is an empty argument! Someone who has faith—the deep assurance this world was made by God and Christ is the Savior-Redeemer of the world—will long to meet with other Christians in order to grow in his faith and encourage other believers.

Another silly argument is: If you are only drawing near to Him to receive His rewards, isn’t that false faith? Nice try. God the Father is the Greatest Good and the Source of Every Good (James 1:17). Any other pursuit is like trying to drink sand to satisfy intense thirst. The LORD Himself declared: “I AM Your Shield and Very Great Reward”. Why would one who claims to have faith go to anything or anyone else than the LORD Who Rewards His people?

What is blocking your zeal for God? What is keeping you from reaching out to Him and knowing Him more and more? Tear it out of your soul. Fight every hindrance to this soul-satisfying and life-giving relationship with God the Father given through the knowledge of Jesus Christ by the dynamic presence of His Spirit planted deep within you.

God of Splendour and Power—You hold the power which sustains the universe. You are great beyond description and have stooped near in Jesus Christ so that our souls can live. Forgive us for our tepid faith. Forgive us for pursuing other things and false gods. Forgive our waywardness and those tawdry, flirtatious interactions with the world. Father, giver of every good gift, renew in us the work of Your Spirit so that our every pursuit and desire and curiosity draws us ever closer to You. Lord Jesus, You declared “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied”. So in faith we pray satisfy us! As we exercise faith, continually deepen this holy hunger and craving thirst so that You will always, ever, only be our desire. Amen.

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