Fill up on God

Many Christian authors have written about a God-shape space, hole or void, that only God can fill. Many of us (not knowing that it can only be filled by God) try to fill it with other things. We try to fill it with food, sex, things, hobbies, people, and stuff. I say we, because I myself still struggle with this. I look to people and things to make me feel happy (when I'm sad), wanted (when I feel rejected), remembered (when I'm forgotten), important (when I feel insignificant), and so forth. Other things people do to fill their void may be buying things, drinking, doing drugs, exercising, or working. We seek happiness, peace, or joy to replace feelings of failure, defeat, and loneliness. The instant gratification or temporary happiness we get helps momentarily, but then the same nagging empty feeling comes back. Some of us then try a bigger intake of these things or doing them more frequently or in higher volumes, yet it doesn't satisfy like it once did. We go looking for that same "good" or "high" feeling those things once gave us before, but we never quite get it. Now our intake or hunt for happiness becomes excessive and we become addicts, all because we don't know any better. We don't know of the One true God who satisfies every hunger, thirst, or void. Jesus says, Everyone who drinks this water (drug, alcohol, work, etc.) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14). Because we aren't aware of this, we¬†hop from hobby to hobby, job to job, drug to drug, or person to person, trying to find that one thing that will completely satisfy our hunger and thirst.

We must understand that we were not created to live without God. I can assure you that the joy God has given me has filled every void, quenched every thirst, and satisfied every hunger. But just as our bodies continuously need food and water, or as our cars needs refueling, we need God all the time. Psalm 42:1 says ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.’ Why? Because only God can fill that God-sized void. Furthermore, we cannot rely on one God interaction, event, or prayer. We need to be continuously filled; we need daily doses of God. We must Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11). Let us seek the Lord always, and continually as that verse says because Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6). We also need to read, study and know God's Word. Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). God is happy to fill us. He wants to satisfy us. I charge you to try God. Desire His filling and let Him satisfy you.

Let us pray.

Father God, let our prayer be like Psalm 63:1 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. Help us recognize that the only thing/person who can fill our void is You. Let us taste the Lord and see that He is Good (Psalm 34:8)! I praise You Lord and thank you for your promise to fill those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. All Glory to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam