I have a vague memory of Dad preaching about desire and desperation several years ago. I don’t remember how long ago it was, or what all of the nuances were, but the main point was clear: If we want to continue in our walk and relationship with God, we have got to stay desperate with desire for Him. That truth went deep into my soul and resonated as my heart’s cry–and I haven’t forgotten it.
Today I was reminded of desire again when Tozer’s The Pursuit of God somehow found its way into my devotions. Tozer points to King David as a man whose life was a “torrent of spiritual desire,” and to Apostle Paul’s burning desire “to know Him…and count all thing loss.” I think of the primary example of this in my own life–my father: a man who has walked with the Lord for decades and has been granted more revelation and relationship than most of us dare to dream of, and yet continues to walk in humble desperation for the Lord, knowing that to stop and be content with yesterday’s portion would be the death of all spiritual growth. By his example of weekly hunger for the Lord, there has been raised up a congregation of believers who know that the deepest need of each moment is for more of God Himself. And so there is expectation for tomorrow, for we continue to pursue.
Tozer writes,
“If we would find God…we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now, as always, God discovers Himself to ‘babes’ and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and prudent. We must simjplify our approach to Him. We mus strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few.) We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candor of childhood. If we do this, without doubt God will quickly respond.”
Today this truth finds its resonation in my soul once again. Oh, how deeply I long to desire God! How I pray for a life that is lived in the pursuit of more, just as David’s, Paul’s, and my own father’s. Oh, to taste of Him and have my soul awakened to its desperate hunger and thirst that can only be satisfied by more!
“The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately, and forever.”
Lord, do a work in my heart. Renew my desire for You. Let me leave behind whatever has placated my soul. Allow me to, once again, count all things loss that I may know You.