Echoes of Truth
January 30th
Theme: Passionate Hunger
O my God, if my love is too weak, make it stronger; if it is not enough, give me more. – Bernard of Clairvaux
The frank honesty in this prayer exposes one of the greatest misunderstandings in the Christian life: that assumption that loving God deeply is something we must produce rather than receive.
We often think hunger for God is proven by how much we do; how faithfully we show up to meetings; how disciplined our routines are; or how busy we stay in spiritual activities. But that is not true.
Hunger is first revealed in dependence. Not in motion.
Now, this kind of cry does not come from a heart that lacks love for God, but can only be a testament to a heart that has tasted Him and discovered that even sincere love is insufficient without divine increase.
A soul that truly longs for God, knows that even its longing must be sustained by grace. Left to itself, love can grow cold. But when it is sustained by God, it will mature.
This was the inner posture of David when he cried, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1).
David was not an outsider seeking an unknown God; he was already a man after God’s heart. He was a king who had already encountered God’s presence. Yet the more David knew God, the more he felt the need for Him. His hunger for God did not decrease, even though he was already intimate with Him. Rather, it intensified.
This prayer teaches us something profound.
When you’re weak in your love for God, the next line of action should not self-reproach. The solution is to return to the Source of love Himself. To ask Him to strengthen your love. To confess that He alone can enlarge your heart.
Afterall, the Scripture backs up this request in Romans 5:5: “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit”. Love for God cannot be generated by self; it can only be imparted by God.
This also confronts the subtle pride that creeps into our devotion as Christians.
We often measure our spiritual health by how passionate we feel or how consistent we appear. But remember, true hunger is traced to humility.
When you bow your heart low and confess, “Lord, even my best love is not enough unless You increase it.” This is the kind of heart that attracts God. “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
When God strengthens our love, some beautiful things begin to happen. Our desires begin to change. Sin loses its appeal, distractions lose their grip, intimacy becomes our priority.
As we draw nearer to Him, He reshapes our affections until loving Him becomes our utmost delight.
In this way, hunger for God becomes self-perpetuating.
The more He fills us, the more we long for Him.
This prayer, then, is an invitation to deeper communion. It is the language of a soul that refuses spiritual complacency. It acknowledges that hunger can deepen and intimacy can increase; but only when we invite God Himself to do the work.
Listen to this message and be empowered: https://youtu.be/AkSeUODLuJQ?si=LMKj_7g3KYbYwAGd
Let Us Pray:
O Lord our God, we confess that our love for You is often weak and easily distracted. Yet we thank You that You do not despise honest hunger. Strengthen our love where it is frail, Abba.
Enlarge our hearts where they are narrow. Give us more of Yourself until You become our supreme delight. Draw us into deeper fellowship with You, and let our hunger for You never fade. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discover more from The BUD Family Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
