Daily Devotional
Are You Thirsty for God?
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
John 7:37-38
September 2, 2023
Ponder This
Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone thirsts.” Are you thirsty? “Well,” you say, “God knows I'm empty.” I didn't ask if you were empty. I asked, “Are you thirsty?” My car has been empty many times, but never once has it been thirsty. Are you thirsty or are you satisfied?
Not many people today are thirsty. Some people come to church on Sunday morning like they’ve done God a wild favor, but they don’t come seeking God. They don’t come with a burning, blistering thirst. Some might have a shallow thirst. Those who have a shallow thirst will get shallow satisfaction. Many are not thirsty at all, because they’re filled with the stagnant waters of self-love and worldliness.
I don’t know how much of God you have, but you have all you want. It’s not your job to persuade God to fill you. He wants to fill you. If you don’t have any more, it’s because you don’t want any more. It’s not because God somehow has neglected you. You’ve neglected God. And if you’re not thirsty, I would suggest the very first thing you do is analyze your life and pray that God would help you see things and that God would give you a burning, blistering thirst, so you will say, “I’m done with religion. I want reality. I am thirsty today for what’s real.”
- When have you been thirsty for God? What was that like?
- Do you crave to grow in your relationship with God? Why or why not? How do you need to respond to God today?
Practice This
Analyze your life and pray that God would help you get things in order, with Him as the One you are thirsty for.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
