July 21st, 2025
by Dr. Josh Franklin
by Dr. Josh Franklin
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6, NKJV)
I was at the zoo one time and saw these big, humongous bears. They were seated back almost like they were in recliners, just sitting there with their arms out. These bears were really, really big—they'd been well-fed, let's say that.
You could purchase peanuts to throw at the bears. Since we arrived a couple of hours after the zoo opened, you could see peanuts all over their chest, all over their shoulders. Your goal was to aim perfectly and put a peanut right in their mouth. But here's what struck me—these bears didn't want it bad enough to try to get the peanuts with their tongue or lean down. They just waited for another one to fall directly into their mouth. The truth is, they weren't hungry.
How hungry are you for God? Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." If somebody shows up at your door saying they're hungry, but then complains about the chipped plate or says, "I don't like green beans and peas," what would you think? This person isn't truly hungry. When you're genuinely hungry, you'll eat just about anything.
Sometimes in church, we act the same way. We say we want more of God, but then we complain: "I don't like what the pastor's wearing." "It's too cold in here." "The people weren't friendly enough." "I don't like the music style." All these complaints show me you're not really hungry. If you were truly hungry for God's Word, you'd be excited regardless of whether your preferences were met.
When's the last time you said, "I've got to read God's Word even if I have to get up earlier"? Psalm 42:1 says, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God." That's true hunger.
Reflection Question: When's the last time you hungered for Bible study or to spend time with the Lord?
Dear God, forgive me for the times I've been picky about how I receive Your Word. Create in me a holy hunger for more of You. I want to be so hungry for You that nothing else matters. Restore my spiritual appetite so I can truly be filled. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Adapted from "Hunger for Holiness": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/xjchmry/4-hunger-for-holiness
I was at the zoo one time and saw these big, humongous bears. They were seated back almost like they were in recliners, just sitting there with their arms out. These bears were really, really big—they'd been well-fed, let's say that.
You could purchase peanuts to throw at the bears. Since we arrived a couple of hours after the zoo opened, you could see peanuts all over their chest, all over their shoulders. Your goal was to aim perfectly and put a peanut right in their mouth. But here's what struck me—these bears didn't want it bad enough to try to get the peanuts with their tongue or lean down. They just waited for another one to fall directly into their mouth. The truth is, they weren't hungry.
How hungry are you for God? Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." If somebody shows up at your door saying they're hungry, but then complains about the chipped plate or says, "I don't like green beans and peas," what would you think? This person isn't truly hungry. When you're genuinely hungry, you'll eat just about anything.
Sometimes in church, we act the same way. We say we want more of God, but then we complain: "I don't like what the pastor's wearing." "It's too cold in here." "The people weren't friendly enough." "I don't like the music style." All these complaints show me you're not really hungry. If you were truly hungry for God's Word, you'd be excited regardless of whether your preferences were met.
When's the last time you said, "I've got to read God's Word even if I have to get up earlier"? Psalm 42:1 says, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God." That's true hunger.
Reflection Question: When's the last time you hungered for Bible study or to spend time with the Lord?
Dear God, forgive me for the times I've been picky about how I receive Your Word. Create in me a holy hunger for more of You. I want to be so hungry for You that nothing else matters. Restore my spiritual appetite so I can truly be filled. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Adapted from "Hunger for Holiness": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/xjchmry/4-hunger-for-holiness
Dr. Josh Franklin
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