causing us to hunger

​Hunger is a good thing.

Not that we rejoice in the millions worldwide who are hungry for food and, in too many cases, are dying for it.  Yet, the hungry may draw out good from us as we respond to their need with more than hollow words like "be well fed," which James said are good for nothing (James 2:16).

When we feel our hunger, it normally impels us to seek its relief in food, shelter, the companionship of others, or the Shelter of God.  Without our sense of hunger, we might well end up dead physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

So perhaps that's why God caused His People to hunger in the wilderness so that they would not only know their need for physical food and turn to the "what is it" manna that He provided but also learn their need for God and for every Word that comes from His Mouth (Deuteronomy 8:3).  Without that second hunger, they would have turned sooner to other less-satisfying gods that offered empty promises and provisions.

So what about you and me?  Are we aware of our hungers, physical, emotional, and spiritual, or have we become numb to our needs?  And if we're aware that we're hungry, to what or to whom are we turning for sustenance and satisfaction?  May those turns lead us ultimately towards God to find that we live by Him Who sees and hears us in our hungry state and speaks and shows us how to feed on Him.