Linda Buishas
We’ve all probably heard song lyrics about thirsting or hungering for God. Is it that the words are meant to express a desire to “experience” more of God’s presence, or are there those who are crying out for something that God has already given? Knowing the power that words can have on us, why tell our souls that we’re hungry or thirsty when we already have what we’re asking for? The Lord has already said in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
We can compare it to sitting at a table with a feast set before us. We may be hungry, but it’s not because we don’t have access to food. We should just partake in what’s in front of us.
Hopefully, we believe Colossians 2:9-10, “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So, you also are complete through your union with Christ …” (NLT). Jesus had the fullness of the Godhead in Him, and to those of us who receive Jesus into our hearts, we also have the fullness of God in our spirits, always. We don’t have to constantly be filled up again and again. The hunger that we should have is for the experience of His presence, the experience of His love, and the experience of the promises that already belong to us. May we hunger for a relationship so intimate with the Father that His life, power, and blessings flow into our lives and through us to others.
The Christian life and seeing the goodness of God manifested in our lives comes out of knowing what we’ve already received through Christ and accessing it through our faith.
We can be convinced of who we are in our born-again spirits by renewing our minds through the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2). We are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). To benefit from the truths found in God’s Word, we must convince ourselves they are true. Being convinced of Christ’s finished work on the cross transforms us.
Many people want some physical evidence, like goosebumps, to show them that God is with them. God’s presence can be that way but isn’t always evidenced by our natural feelings. Hebrews 13:5 confirms that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He wishes to have a close, intimate relationship with us, but He’s never going to force Himself upon us.
Depression or discontent over some natural circumstance can’t stay for long in a Believer’s life when they know who they are in Christ and what God has done. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is always a part of us. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control belong to us (Galatians 5:22-23).
We experience God’s presence and the fruit of His love when we recognize the incredible gift we have in being loved by Him.