Hunger For The Living God
Manfred expresses his joy to be back in Richmond and emphasizes the importance of seeking a deep hunger for God. He highlights that this longing is rooted in Psalm 84, which speaks of a soul yearning for the living God, and is a universal human desire created by God Himself. Despite many attempts to satisfy this hunger with knowledge, relationships, or religious practices, only the living God can truly fulfill it. Manfred discusses the history of the sons of Korah, who longed for God's presence, illustrating that genuine spiritual hunger often involves loss and longing, which God uses to draw us closer to Himself. He explains that God sometimes allows things to be taken away—like the Ark, the Temple, or even prosperity—to deepen our desire for Him. The process of seeking God often involves periods of dryness and divine hiding, which are meant to train us and increase our capacity for Him. Manfred stresses that Christ is the only image of God capable of satisfying this eternal longing and that God's dealings, including trials and divisions, serve to bring us into a closer relationship with Him. Ultimately, he encourages believers to trust God's faithfulness, seek Christ, and live by faith, knowing that God's ultimate purpose is to establish His kingdom and vindicate His name in the earth.
Outline of Main Points
- Joy in returning to Richmond and recognition of God's work worldwide
- Deep hunger for God rooted in Psalm 84 and related scriptures
- Human longing for the living God is innate and cannot be fully satisfied by anything else
- History of the sons of Korah exemplifies deep spiritual longing and desire for God's presence
- Many seek satisfaction in knowledge, relationships, religious practices, or tastes, but only God can truly satisfy
- God sometimes allows loss and division to create a hunger and draw us closer to Him
- Periods of dryness and divine hiding are part of God's training to enlarge our capacity for Him
- Christ is the only true image of God capable of fulfilling our eternal longing
- God's dealings, including trials like Job's, serve to reveal Himself and deepen our faith
- Living by faith involves trusting God's process and seeking His presence beyond feelings
- God's ultimate purpose is to establish His kingdom and vindicate His name in the earth
- Encouragement to seek Christ, trust God's faithfulness, and live in anticipation of His coming glory
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
