HUNGER THAT DRAWS GOD NEAR
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Matthew 5:6
Supporting Texts: Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1-2, Luke 1:53, 2 Chronicles 26:5
INTRODUCTION:
Spiritual hunger is the deep longing within the soul that yearns for more of God. It is a holy desire that drives one to seek, pursue, and cling to the presence of the Lord. The Bible makes it clear that God does not ignore those who hunger after Him. In fact, Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Spiritual hunger distinguishes the casual believer from the desperate seeker. David said, “My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You” (Psalm 63:1). This is the cry of someone who refuses to be satisfied with surface Christianity and desires to dwell in the depths of God.
God is drawn to those who are spiritually hungry. Just like a magnet, hunger pulls the presence and power of God into the life of the seeker. Whenever hunger increases, divine visitation and supernatural encounters follow. The question today is: How hungry are you for God?
1. SPIRITUAL HUNGER ATTRACTS GOD’S PRESENCE
When you are truly hungry for God, He will not leave you empty. He responds to those who earnestly desire Him.
a) God fills those who are desperate for Him (Luke 1:53):
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. God does not ignore the passionate seeker.
b) Divine encounters begin with holy longing (Psalm 42:1–2):
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Such longing draws the nearness of God.
c) Hunger activates God’s attention (Exodus 3:4):
When Moses turned aside to see the bush, God called out to him. Hunger leads to revelation.
d) God meets us at the level of our desire (Matthew 5:6):
To the hungry, He gives fullness; to the indifferent, He gives nothing.
Biblical Example: The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd because she was desperate. Her hunger brought healing (Mark 5:25–34).
2. SPIRITUAL HUNGER BIRTHS REVELATION AND DIRECTION
When a heart is hungry, God responds by revealing Himself and His will.
a) God reveals Himself to seekers (Jeremiah 29:13):
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Hunger is the gateway to revelation.
b) Hunger leads to spiritual understanding (2 Chronicles 26:5):
As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. Hunger positions us for divine guidance.
c) The Word becomes alive to the hungry (Psalm 119:18):
“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of Your law.” A hungry heart feeds on the Word with expectancy.
d) Spiritual insight is for those who value the presence of God (Psalm 25:14):
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him.
Biblical Example: Cornelius was a devout man whose hunger led to angelic visitation and divine instruction (Acts 10:1–6).
3. SPIRITUAL HUNGER PREPARES THE HEART FOR ENCOUNTERS
God does not waste His presence on people who do not value it. Hunger prepares the heart to become a habitation for the Holy Spirit.
a) Hunger purifies the motives of the seeker (James 4:8):
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Hunger leads to sanctification and deeper fellowship.
b) Hunger kills complacency and casual Christianity (Revelation 3:16):
The lukewarm are spewed out. Spiritual hunger ignites passion and pursuit.
c) Those who hunger grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:2):
Like newborn babies, they crave pure spiritual milk to grow thereby.
d) Hunger leads to deeper prayer and worship (Psalm 63:1–2):
“My soul thirsts for You… to see Your power and Your glory.” Prayer becomes more fervent when the soul is hungry.
Biblical Example: Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus out of spiritual hunger. That hunger brought salvation to his house (Luke 19:1–10).
4. SIGNS OF A HUNGRY HEART FOR GOD
How do we know we are truly hungry for God?
a) An intense desire to be in God's presence (Psalm 27:4):
One thing have I desired of the Lord… to behold the beauty of the Lord.
b) A constant thirst for the Word (Psalm 119:103):
“Your word is sweet to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
c) Unquenchable desire for prayer and communion (Luke 5:16):
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. Hunger fuels prayer life.
d) A lifestyle that prioritises spiritual things (Matthew 6:33):
Seek first the kingdom – the hungry person rearranges their life around God.
Biblical Example: Anna the prophetess stayed in the temple, fasting and praying daily for decades – a symbol of hunger for God (Luke 2:36–38).
CONCLUSION:
Spiritual hunger is not a weakness but a spiritual strength. It is what distinguishes those who encounter God from those who only hear about Him. The more you hunger, the more you will be filled. God is searching for those whose hearts cry out for Him day and night.
In this hour, may your hunger increase. May you become dissatisfied with the ordinary and pursue the extraordinary presence of God. For only those who hunger and thirst for Him will be filled, revived, and transformed.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, increase my hunger and thirst for You daily.
2. Let every spiritual dryness in my life be replaced with holy desire.
3. Father, draw me into deeper intimacy with You.
4. Let my heart never grow cold or lukewarm toward Your presence.
5. Fill my life with Your Word, power, and revelation.
6. Holy Spirit, stir up fresh fire and passion in my spirit.
7. Break every distraction and idleness that kills spiritual hunger.
8. Let my heart be a dwelling place for Your glory.
9. I receive grace to seek You above all things.
10. O Lord, baptise me with hunger that draws You near!
