Hunger for his presence

Hunger is an intense desire for something. It is evident that the value you place on something determines the intensity with which you desire it. Many people spend months seeking to get into the presence of the president or governor. Some even make themselves agents of securing an audience with the president or governor. However, the above is not the scenario when it comes to the presence of he that is older than age. In matters of hunger for God’s presence, the obstacle lies with us humans and not with God.

The secondary application of the love songs of the book of Song of Songs has always been the love between Christ and his Bride (the Church). Every believer in Christ, of whatever denomination is a member of the Church. Nevertheless, in our individual walk with God, there exist some obstacles to having a closer, regular and consistent intimacy with God. Some of these obstacles could be seen in the reasons given by the bride in Songs of Songs, when the groom came around. “I have washed my legs; I have put off my coat”. Some other could as well say, I have applied my makeup, I am exhausted from the days ‘activity, I am weighed down by family and job pressures, I am too busy with the work of God; the list go on and on. Who knows the number of times God has come for an intimate relationship only for us to rebuff him with our flimsy excuses.

David, despite the over bearing busy schedule of king- judge in Israel, still passionately declared, “As the deer panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” No matter how busy or cogent one’s reasons might be, there is no substitute to His presence. The greatest need man has is God’s presence. A consistent passion for His presence is cultivated by developing it as a habit. As it becomes a habit, soon it will become a character. An unquenchable hunger for His presence could surmount every obstacle that time, schedules and position can bring.

We are no longer bothered about the absence of the presence of God rather we are worried about absence of problems. Don’t ask for the absence of problems – ask for the presence of God and He will take care of the rest. Without the presence of God, the church will become a barren desert. Everything becomes dry without the presence of God. praises to God and our dancing in church becomes worthless without the presence of God evident in the church.

You can stir up your hunger for God’s presence just like David did and he prayed in Psalm 42:2, “In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face?” When last did you thirst for God and sought His face?

In Song of Solomon, the Beloved is knocking on the chamber door. The maiden resists getting up to answer. ‘I have taken off my robe—must I put it on again? I have washed my feet—must I soil them again?’ (SOS 5:3). She is in a state of repose, and for that moment, her comfort is more important than her relationship. Later the maiden rose to open the door to her Beloved, but he has already left. Her hesitancy has cost her his presence. Now, her heart is stirred. Comfort is no longer an issue as she loses sleep and risks her safety to search for the one she loves. Unable to reach him, she passes on a message, ‘Tell him I am faint with love.’ (SOS 5:8)

I am aware that you have to pay your bills. Don’t busy away God. You cannot find time but you can make time. Being in His presence, gives you an edge over your contemporaries.Today’s Nugget: An unquenchable hunger for His presence is indispensable for a close walk with God.
Prayer: Oh God let me not be satisfied with whatever I have today to the detriment of your presence.
Prayer lines: 09078154261.
E-mail: evangelgospel@yahoo.com
Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria