4 Ways to Learn to Long for God Alone

Here are four ways that you can learn to long for God alone.

Slay the Idol

A great place to have a greater longing for God is to slay the idols of our hearts. Our idols can be anything that takes up more of our time and less time for God. What that idol is for you might be different from mine. We all have them, as our hearts seem to manufacture them; so why not have a media fast. Try to go a day without any media at all, including electronic devices (phones, Internet, TV, radio, etc.). You’ll suddenly you have a lot more time on your hands. Use those hands to open your Bible and study His Word. Interestingly, His Word creates a hunger for the Word.

Contentment

The Apostle Paul had to learn how to be content. He had no choice but to learn. He went through so many beatings, stonings, times of hunger and cold, and imprisonments that he couldn’t dwell on his circumstances. He wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11). What I notice most in this verse is that Paul had to learn to be content. It didn’t come naturally, and neither does it for us. When we are content, our hearts are not restless but find their rest in Him.

Ask God

I think it’s biblical to ask God to give you a hunger and thirst for Him and for His Word. I know your hunger will be satisfied in the Bible because there you will find the Bread of Life, Who brings eternal life for all who believe. When you realize you’ve been redeemed and see how much it cost God by looking at the cross, it will humble you and make you yearn to worship such a God as this in person in the kingdom someday. What a glorious thought to ponder.

The Effects of Sin

I don’t know about you but when I see the news, it makes me think, “Oh Lord, come quickly.” I think it’s because I desire to see the end of this sin-sick and sin-suffering world. The bloody violence, the terrorist bombings, and the ceaseless natural catastrophes seem to go on and on. Statistics don’t lie: We are growing more and more violent as a society, and we are showing more and more sexually explicit images than ever before. So why not pray for His kingdom to come, as we’re commanded to do (Matthew 6:10). When you look at the world, that ought to make you long for God all the more.

Conclusion

I am sick and tired of seeing the effects of sin; but I trust God, as He will bring perfect justice at the judgment seat of Christ (Revelation 20:12-15). All who have repented and trusted in Christ have had their sins already judged by Christ; but for those who haven’t yet been saved, they will unfortunately have to pay for their own sins. So pray with me that they might be saved and God would be as merciful to them as He has been to us.