In our normal human condition, we seek to be contented — to check certain things off our list. There have been so many times over the years that I have fallen into “contentment”. Charles Spurgeon said, “It is good to have longings, and the more intense they are the better. The Lord will satisfy the longings of the soul, no matter how intense and all-absorbing they may be.”

“Let us greatly long, for God will greatly give.”

Instead of seeking contentment, God’s Word tells us to stay thirsty and hungry. “They shall give thanks to the Lord for His mercy, and for His wonders to the sons of mankind! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and He has filled the hungry soul with what is good.” (Ps 107:8-9)

If I first week after anything other than the Lord, I’m placing other desires before being in His presence. I’m learning to let go of my temporal wants, and I find myself not contented with what I know of the Lord. Scripture tells us to continually seek after the Him: “God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.” (Ps 63:1)

“We are never in a right state of mind when we are contented with ourselves and are free from longings. Desires for more grace and groanings that cannot be uttered are growing pains, and we should want to feel them more and more. Blessed Spirit, make us sigh and cry after better things and for more of the best things!” — Charles Spurgeon

Being hungry and thirsty is in itself unpleasant, but if we seek after “the Bread of Life” (John 6:35-36) and the “Living Water” (John 4:10), we are seeking the Lord. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matt 5:6) “Such people will not just have their hunger relieved with a little food, but they will be filled! They will not be filled with just any sort of bread, but their diet will be worthy of their good Lord, for they will be filled with goodness by God Himself!”–Charles Spurgeon

But if we seek after created things that are temporal, we may find ourselves walking in the counsel of the wicked, standing in the path of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scoffers (Ps 1:1).  But the delight of a blessed one “is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (Ps 1:2-3)

If we seek after extra biblical experiences and “gifts”, we may find ourselves deceived by the dark spirits of this world, which is why Peter warns: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8)

The prophet Isaiah prophesied about the coming Christ who will truly satisfy: “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.” (Is 55:1-3)

Come, let us not worry because we yearn and hunger, but let us hear the voice of the psalmist as he also yearns and hungers to see God magnified: “They shall give thanks to the Lord for His mercy, and for His wonders to the sons of mankind! For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and He has filled the hungry soul with what is good.” (Ps 107:8-9)

Lord, keep me hungering after Your Word so that I will be truly satisfied. Keep me thirsting after Your righteousness so that I rightfully stay “poor in spirit”, knowing that only Your righteousness can cover my sin so that I may be in Your presence. Thank You for coming after me all the times that I’ve turned to the right or left, leaving the path You illuminate for my steps. Thank You for setting my foot on the Rock and making my steps firm. Lord, there’s nothing I can ever do to earn Your abundance of grace and mercy that You have given me as a gift because I believe in the work of Your Son, the Christ! In His precious name, amen.