Thirsty

"O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that I may know Thee indeed. Begin a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen."

From A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God.

"O God, You are my God ; I shall seek You earnestly ; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1

Water is a basic human need. The human body can survive for some time without food, but can survive only 3 days without water in average conditions. The spiritual need for God's presence is much greater. It's saddening to me that we often live in the flesh and quiet the desires of the spirit. I remember vividly a fiery sermon preached on July 6th, 2001. The key verse was Psalm 119:20 "My soul is crushed with longing after Your ordinances at all times." I have often thought of that verse and been challenged by its message. The question burns with me: Am I crushed with longing for the Word at ALL times?

Today I want to be more thirsty for the Lord.