Spiritual Hunger

By Reverend Michael Farias

I recently blogged about my discovery while on a missions trip to Africa.  What I discovered was that people in Africa have found Jesus and a new life in Him, and are eager and hungry for the word of God.

Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4

Jesus quoted these words immediately after a 40-day fast.  He was hungry, and Satan had worked hard to tempt him to turn rocks into bread.

While in Luanda, the capital of Angola, Africa, I observed first-hand what real poverty looks and smells like.   I have participated in ministries to rural America and have become somewhat aware of poverty in America.  I have been on missions trips to Mexico before, and I thought that I had seen real poverty.  However, the poverty I have seen previously does not compare to the depth of the seemingly endless poverty I witnessed in Africa.

Somehow, in spite of the hardships and lack of essentials that we take for granted in America; things like electricity, running water that is safe to drink, a toilet, transportation beyond my bare feet, and Starbucks, I met pastors and parishioners alike that were happy and full of joy.  How is that possible?  How is it that I saw hope where there appeared to be none?

I believe their hope comes from the experience and knowledge that “life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” Matthew 6:25.   I can see no other explanation.

My assessment of much of American Christianity is that we need to take a fresh look and ask ourselves if our needs are really being met.  I’m not referring to the food and clothes part; we are experts at that, but I’m talking about the spiritual part.  Are our spiritual needs being met?  Are we only bloated on food and drink, or are we feasting on the Word of God?

In Revelation 3:17 (NIV) Jesus chastises the church of Laodicea.

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

When Jesus quoted the “man shall not live by bread alone” bit, he was quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3.  This principle was for a group who had just experienced 40 years of living and wandering in the wilderness, where God provided their every need, including, but not limited to, manna from heaven (a supernatural food supply), and clothes and shoes that did not wear out.

We don’t need an abundance of food, drink, apparel, and finances to have an abundant life.  

The key to an abundant life in Christ is to become a consumer of God’s word. The word is all we must feast on to find what we are truly hungry for.