Have you ever had a craving?
Several years ago, due to improper use of strong bathroom cleaners, I lost my sense of smell. I really miss smelling the lily of the valleys and lilacs in the spring, and the roses and peonies in the summer. I miss smelling my favorite perfume, and fresh-baked bread, and cookies. It is a blessing and a curse, since we raise both pigs and cows on this farm. To the east are the pigs and to the west are the dairy cows. Needless to say, those smells I do not miss. It has also helped curb any cravings I might succumb to because of my olfactory, another blessing.
Pregnant woman are often made fun of because of their unusual cravings during their gestation time. Their body hungers for vitamins and minerals it is using in the growing of a new human, and thus cravings occur.
Have you ever had something to eat at a restaurant that made your mouth water as soon as it came to the table? The smell wafted up and pulled you into a euphoria of salivating? Whenever you think of eating that meal, after that experience, the same hunger and cravings hit you like a ton of bricks! You want to relive that experience of satisfaction over and over again.
That is what the Lord wants from us, a hunger to be near him, and his Word. To have a craving for him, that can’t be quenched by only one tasting. You crave to read his Word over and over, and talk to him daily. The words of this song describes the way it should be:
AS THE DEER by Martin J Nystrom
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
You’re my friend
And You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
Just as the delicious meal you experienced and want more of, that’s what he wants us to experience with him. He can give you a sense of satisfaction like nothing else. If we partake of him, we will never hunger or thirst again.
As parents we need to provide food, shelter, and clothing for our children. It is just as important for us to feed them with the knowledge of the bread of life and the springs of living water: Jesus Christ, so they can go through eternity and never hunger again, because they tasted, and know that it is good!
We as authors like to give a little nibble to our readers, to make them hungry for the rest of the story. They salivate, wanting to find out what happens to whom and when. They hunger for the ending of the story to see if they figured out the stories conclusion. God gave us a great love letter, (the Bible), and if we get into it, we will hunger to find out the ending. It is a great read, and it will surprise you who wins.
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Psalms 143:6
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psalms 34:8
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 6:35