“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

One of the most difficult challenges is witnessing the tragic results of spiritual dehydration in people who are dying spiritually with living water just a step away. Bibles left on a coffee table or on a shelf collecting dust because they are never opened. People are going through stormy lives when the answers are right in front of them.

Challenges of life

Challenges of life with work, family, health, finances they have become so busy, so self-involved with their own priorities to stop and drink of the living water that Christ often spoke of. “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” (John 4:14). There are so many excuses, yet the solution is in the scriptures if only you could become truly hungry and thirsty for God.

For the scriptures say, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled,” yet so many have never truly experienced it. Paul said that He wants to know Christ in the power of His resurrection and in the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10). King David cried out, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4).

Hungering and thirsting for God

Hungering and thirsting for God is an all-consuming passion that drives every aspect of life. Hope surges when you devour the living water and dehydration quickly gives way to a refreshing sense of satisfaction. The extreme thirst that you were feeling was now satisfied.

God often describes in His word, those who truly thirst (seek) Him with all of their heart will be satisfied. This is full surrender not partial obedience, it’s not trying to fit God into your life but it’s about immersing yourself in the Word, allowing Him to fully saturate every aspect of your life.

Unfortunately, sometimes you tend to live by the letter of the law, but not the heart of Christ. You can read the Bible, but your heart remains as hard as stone. You wonder why you don’t understand what you read, it’s because you have not allowed the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and you are not committed, not hungry and thirsty for truth.

Your compassion, gentleness, and humility have been lost. You begin to judge, rather than to truly seek God which prevents you from truly knowing God. Your judgmental attitude drives you farther and farther away from God and people, you are then fighting against God instead of for God.

There are also those who have replaced conviction with compromise. If you find yourself saying, “I’m just not convicted, or it’s alright to compromise a little” it may be time for self-evaluation. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit and If you are offended by a call to holiness or humility, it may be a good indication that you may not be truly saved, and repentance needs to be sought.

Holiness is not a choice

Holiness is not a choice it is a mark of conviction and a surrendered life. It is the mark of someone who is genuinely filled with the Spirit of God. Without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

If you are a lukewarm person, you disdain the heat of conviction; thus, you remain lukewarm, also knowing nothing of holiness, surrender, and the Spirit-filled life. You may have a form of godliness, but it denies God by its lifestyle (see 2 Timothy 3:5). Charles Spurgeon rightly noted, “There will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness.”

Why don’t many truly seek God?

First, it may be that one is not genuinely saved. They may have “religion” but not a true “relationship” with the living God.

Second, many do not want to seek Him. The excuse is often, “I just not interested in seeking Him.” We must seek Him if we are to truly find Him.

Hunger and thirst come when you realize you are on the wrong road, and you repent. Then turn your life over to the control of Christ in order to be filled. Next, begin to discipline yourself by breaking from the past so there can be restoration.

Obedience must also take place before receiving blessings from God, praying for transformation. Peace will come when you praise Him for the restored life He has given you. Genuine faith is reflected in sincere humility, selfless love, true repentance, and a surrendered life. Does your life reflect these characteristics? Are you truly seeking God? It’s not too late, repent and return to God and He will fill you with all joy and peace.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1).

If you don’t know Christ open your heart before God and call upon Him to find true meaning in life.  Romans 10:9-10 says “That if you shall confess with your mouth (speak out loud) the Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. Ask Him for forgiveness and salvation. He will grant you eternal life and a new purpose as a child of God.

Now is the time to receive God’s mercy if you believe in your heart that you want to have Jesus Christ in your life. You may have salvation today if you say this prayer of salvation out loud:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Thank you, Amen!