The Father's Menu
Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
DESIRING GOD
“Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.”
Songs of Solomon 3:4
Main Text: Main Text: Psalms 42:1-5
How earnestly do we desire God? This is a question we should ask ourselves daily. Do we crave His presence? Are we hungry for His guidance and companionship? In the key verse, the woman, representing the church, finds her beloved—symbolic of Jesus Christ—and holds onto him, refusing to let him go. This seeking of God is driven not by mere discipline but by an intense, burning desire. It's not about following rules or routines; it's about the depth of our passion for God. How fervently do we pursue Him? How deep is our longing for His presence? Some might claim they've already found the Lord, but in truth, it was He who found them. This should remind us that our journey with God is less about our efforts and more about His grace and love that draws us to Him.
In a world where distractions abound and attention is a limited resource, cultivating a genuine desire for God can seem challenging. Yet, the need for spiritual sustenance is as vital as the need for physical nourishment. To desire God is to acknowledge that, beyond the material and temporal, there is a longing for something—or Someone—eternal.
Spiritual hunger, unlike physical hunger, isn't always apparent. We can easily be distracted by our daily routines, responsibilities, and the constant noise of modern life. Yet, deep within, there is a part of us that craves a connection with the Creator. This longing can manifest as a sense of emptiness, a desire for meaning, or a quest for purpose. The Bible captures this beautifully in Psalm 42:1 (NIV): "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God."
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I receive a baptism of the Spirit of Hunger in Jesus name.
Further Reading:
Matthew 24:12-13 (NLT) “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Songs of Solomon 5:2-7 “I was sound asleep, but in my dreams, I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It’s the sound of my lover knocking, calling! “Let me in, dear companion, dearest friend, my dove, consummate lover! I’m soaked with the dampness of the night, drenched with dew, shivering and cold.” “But I’m in my nightgown—do you expect me to get dressed? I’m bathed and in bed—do you want me to get dirty?” But my lover wouldn’t take no for an answer, and the longer he knocked, the more excited I became. I got up to open the door to my lover, sweetly ready to receive him, Desiring and expectant as I turned the door handle. But when I opened the door, he was gone. My loved one had tired of waiting and left. And I died inside—oh, I felt so bad! I ran out looking for him but he was nowhere to be found. I called into the darkness—but no answer. The night watchmen found me as they patrolled the streets of the city. They slapped and beat and bruised me, ripping off my clothes, these watchmen, who were supposed to be guarding the city.”
Read through the bible in 1 year: 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23 John 8:1-20 Psalm 110:1-7 Proverbs 15:8-10
Read through the bible in 2 years: Catch-up day & Ps 127
