HUNGER TO HEAR

Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight… Paul talked on and on… talking until daylight. —Acts 20:7, 9, 11

I was talking with a friend who had been attending a church where the pastor only spoke a 10 minute message. That was it— 10 minutes. What a contrast to the spiritual hungry people in the underground church in China. I was reading that when Westerners were going to speak in some of their groups that if they could not speak for at least 2 hours minimum then they should not come. What makes the difference between the two groups? It appears one likes a comfortable Christianity with little commitment while the other is truly committed to the cause of Christ.

How many of us in America who profess to follow the Lord Jesus Christ would have stayed to listen to Paul speak as mentioned in the above verses? Would you or I have excused ourselves for one reason or another? Do you and I really have a hunger to hear what God has to say? How much time did you or I spend listening to His Word this morning… or yesterday? Are you and I truly committed to the Lord Jesus and His will?

People will stay in line overnight to get tickets for a sporting event, a concert or even some special sneakers promoted by a pro-basketball player. In some countries where there is lack of food people will wait for hours to get some. How hungry are you and I for the Word of God— “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. Oh, may I truly desire to hear what You have to say to me and then be faithful in carrying out Your desires in the authority of the Lord Jesus.