The handful of books I’ve been studying recently are all proving to be so inspiring and profound, I have a difficult time deciding on my own which to read whenever I sit down. But the Holy Spirit always takes me to where I need to be at the moment.
Still, it seems that God speaks to me through A.W. Tozer more than any other author. And this morning I’m taken back to the thought that started this … endeavor, that God puts our desire for Him in our hearts.
Here is the devotional for August 2 from Mornings With Tozer.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness. Matthew 5:6
There is no way that any of us can talk ourselves into getting a “longing for God.” Spiritual desire and hunger must come from God Himself! It cannot be whipped up.
As a grown boy, I tried selling peanuts, popcorn, chewing gum, candy and books on the old Vicksburg and Pacific railroad. I did not sell enough to become any great success, but I recall that we often tried to stir up some desire for our wares among the passengers. We would go through the coaches and give each person a few salted peanuts. No one seemed to want to buy on the first trip through, but when we came back, nearly everyone who had tasted was ready to buy. This was a common trick on the trains.
But it is a different story when we consider the spiritual life. No one but God through His Spirit is able to stir up spiritual desire among us. Those who have accepted a common state of spiritual living and have no deep desire for Him will never be stirred by human means.
Lord, Your Word says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). I desire to grow closer to You, Lord. I don’t want to merely sustain a distant relationship with an unknowable God.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”