Godly Desires

(Prov 27:20 KJV)  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

This morning we continue our “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God” series.  The word “destruction” in this verse is also translated grave and the word “eyes” is also translated “lusts.”  Solomon here makes a connection between hell, the grave, and the lusts of man.  Hell is never satisfied.  While hell was not created for man, satan is more than happy to make every effort to take as many people with him to hell as he can.  There is no ceiling on hell and no tipping point.  Likewise, the grave is the same way.  The grave will devour every body that is put into it and it always stands ready to receive more.  This is the picture Solomon gives us in order to understand the lusts of man.  The carnal mind is never satisfied.  The more sin it performs, the more it hungers.  There is no ceiling or tipping point for sin.  A sinner never gets to the point where he or she says, “You know what?  I am full of sin and I just can’t take it anymore.”  In Ecclesiastes, when discussing the carnal mind, Solomon said, “No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied.  No matter how much we hear, we are not content” (1:8).

In a way, having an insatiable desire is not a bad thing, just as long as the desire is pointed in the right direction.  When we come to God we are to be just as busy (or busier) for God as we were for satan.  When I served satan I served him well.  I was a good sinner and my heart was in my sinning.  If I was going to do something, then I was going to enjoy it.  But now that I am a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I must take that same passion, zeal, energy, and excitement into serving God.

Peter said, “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).  My sister just had my niece two days ago and baby Gabriela has only one thing on her mind – MILK!  Just like Gabriela hungers and craves for milk, new believers should hunger and crave for the Word.  And after you grow into a developed Son of God, your hunger and thirst should not stop.  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mat 5:6).  So spiritually, your desire should be insatiable.  However, naturally you must learn to be content and to control your lusts.  Paul said, “Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally.  I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances” (Phil 4:11)

So what does this mean to you today?  Two things:

1.  Spiritually speaking, point your insatiable desire in the right direction.  It’s good to have a hunger and thirst that is never truly satisfied and that always wants more and more of God and His Word.  Never allow yourself to get to the point where you no longer chase after God.  Pursue Him with all your might.  Desire Him with all your heart.  Feast on His Word daily; you will never overeat when you are dining from His table.

2.  Humanly speaking, learn to be content.  Don’t allow the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, or the lusts for other things (Mark 4:19) to choke out the Word of God in your life.  There is nothing wrong with wanting things in life and God wants us to prosper and to enjoy our life in the earth.  Just make sure you don’t allow ambition to lead you away from God’s desired path for your life.  Enjoy what you have and enjoy God daily.

Closing Confession:  Father, I thank You for this Word.  I have a spiritual desire for You that is insatiable.  I crave for Your Word.  I want Your Word more than my necessary food.  I do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from out of Your mouth.  I hunger and thirst for righteousness and I shall be filled.  I chase after You daily and You allow me to commune with You.  I love You with my whole heart.  I am also thankful for all that I have.  You have blessed me richly, and for that I will never cease to give You praise.  I will not allow lusts for the things of this world to lead me away from the path to Your desired destination for my life.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper!