Have you ever gone through a day with the nagging thought that you are forgetting something very important, and yet no matter how hard you try to remember, or how many lists you go through nothing seems to click – until the end of the day, when there’s nothing you can do about it, suddenly you remember the one thing that you absolutely needed to get done that day? Or maybe you’ve had a day when you get a lot of things done and it seems like the most productive day in a while, and then you sit down, tired and satisfied, only to realize you forgot to get the items you need first thing in the morning the next day. Suddenly, the day seems somehow fruitless, no matter how much you accomplished. The most important thing was left undone and, while the day wasn’t a waste (in that you did get things done), the things done cannot fill the void left by that one thing being forgotten. Sometimes, we so fully forget the most important thing that the only realization that it’s missing is a vague sense of needing something more: so vague that we can often do a pretty good job of silencing that nagging voice with family time, reading, social media, movies, news, or sports. But those fillers cannot silence the desire of our soul forever. The soul’s thirst can only be completely answered in one way.
This is outlined quite plainly in Isaiah 55, where we read “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread: and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live . . . Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Often in life, we get busy with our schedule of tangible things: work, meals, family time, ‘down time,’ and sleep; along with all the little tasks we must do to keep our life going. But we forget the most important part: our relationship with God. Much like a person trying to quench their thirst with soda rather than water, we try to fill the void with stuff and activities rather than that which will truly satisfy. Isaiah asks, “Why do you spend your money and time for the things that don’t satisfy?” The answer is in seeking God.
What does it mean to seek God? Is He hiding? Is it possible to find Him? to have a relationship with Him? to find in Him the satisfaction of the thirsting of our souls? The first step to seeking God is to acknowledge that you need Him. You cannot do life on your own. Sure, you can attempt it and do a fine job some of the time. But you need God’s wisdom; you need His strength; you need His love, patience and grace; you need His forgiveness. You need God. Other relationships don’t cut it. Man’s advice and counsel can be helpful, but it does not give the answers you need for life. Religion can ease your conscience for a bit, but it isn’t the answer either. You need God. And so, your search for God begins. Your search to know God will not be empty. He says that those who come to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. He promises to be found of those that seek Him with all their heart, and that He is not far off from every one of us. He tells us that He does not call us to seek Him in vain, but rather that He speaks things that are right: He calls us to seek Him and He will be found. As we leave behind our sins, our love of things more than God, and set our hearts on Him, He promises forgiveness and restoration. You may be saying, “I don’t understand. I’m not that bad. I’m a Christian. What are you talking about?” Let me remind you that God says that we are to love Him with all our heart, mind, and strength. Let us return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon us, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Yes, there is hope, there is satisfaction in a relationship with God. As we seek Him through prayer and reading the Bible, we come to know Him. We find out who our God is and begin to know more fully our relationship with Him. We find Him to be all we need: our Comforter, even when there’s no one else who can begin to understand our struggles; our Confidant, who never is tired of hearing the outpouring of our hearts; our Counselor, who understands everything perfectly and never gives bad advice; our Father, who teaches us the way we should go, who loves us infinitely and intimately; our Keeper, who never sleeps but guards us continually; our Strength, who never fails no matter how big or overwhelming our situation may be; our Peace, in spite of the storms that come; and so much more. God has an amazing plan for you and I that is fulfilled as we seek Him and walk with Him. “Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Isaiah 55:12-13). No, this does not mean that your life will be a bed of roses, or peaches and cream and everything nice. There will still be struggles, there will still be pain, loss, and sadness. But through it all, you will have peace and joy in God.
Dear friend, is your soul thirsting for something more? Do you long for something deeper? Maybe you see others and wish you could experience the closeness with God they seem to have. Maybe you remember days long ago that you used to walk in joy and sweet fellowship with God. I encourage you, begin seeking God today. Don’t wait for a new day, don’t wait till things are smoother, or until you’re not struggling so much. Our God is calling you and will welcome you just exactly as you are and He will patiently, gently, joyously cleanse you and transform you to be more and more like Him as you grow in your relationship. He calls you and I to draw ever closer to Him, to know Him more deeply, and be more fully satisfied in Him. Come, taste and see that the Lord is good. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite [broken-hearted for sin, deeply affected with sorrow and grief for having offended God] and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
Hope in truth 