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C.H Spurgeon once said, "There is no reasoning with thirst, no forgetting it, no despising it, no overcoming it by stoical indifference. Thirst will be heard. The whole man must yield to its power. Only God himself can satisfy the craving of the soul really roused by the Holy Spirit". Our Lord Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled". Matt. 5 v 6
We sing the words, Create soul thirst for Thee And hung'ring for the Bread of Life O may our spirits be!" Soul thirst for God is a preparatory stage in the soul's quest for Divine fullness. 1. The Essential Appetite "If any man thirst..." It was now the last day of the feast of tabernacles, and the people were about to return to their towns and villages throughout Israel. A voice rings out: "If any man thirst..." After all the religious exercises of the previous days, the Saviour infers that the deepest desires of the worshippers are still not satisfied. Is there yet a dryness of soul? Many who profess the Name of Christ are content to live in the shallows of a spiritual trickle of blessing. They know nothing of this appetite for all the fullness of God. David, the Psalmist said, "As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God". Psalm 42 v 1. Such desires are rare today. Dr. A.W. Tozer made the following statement many years ago: "Almost every day of my life, I am praying that a jubilant pining and longing for God might come back on our evangelical churches everywhere. It is almost gone from our midst." 2. The Earnest Appeal "...let him come unto me..." In making promise to His people, God said, "I will pour water on him that is thirsty..." Isaiah 44 v 3. Now the Eternal Son speaks: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me...". The fullness of God is imparted through the Son, by the Spirit to the seeking soul. Christ alone is the fountain and source of spiritual fullness. The deep needs of the soul are not satisfied by emotional meetings, pseudo experiences, or manmade programmes. True blessing can never be divorced from the true Blesser, the Lord Jesus Christ. Go directly to Him and wait until He draws near. Let Him pour His infinite life and grace through every part of your soul. 3. The Effective Appropriation "...and drink". God has placed this instinct in every bird that flies; every creature that moves; every person that lives on earth. Life depends upon it. How wonderful when the desert traveller comes to an oasis! How much more satisfying, when the soul drinks from the river of Living Water! There is an unbounded fullness in our ascended Lord awaiting your appropriation today. He encourages you to receive by faith the blessing of full salvation. This has been purchased for His Church by His redeeming sacrifice on Calvary's cross. Now His gracious Spirit has come to make real in you all that He has purchased for you. I'm hung'ring and thirsting to know The blessing of fullness he giveth. Now fill me while humbly I bow. If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly.
Due to be updated: Sunday 16th April with an Easter Message
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