Sabbath Thought – Hunger and Thirst

In the Western world, it is a comparatively rare thing for a person to go hungry or thirsty. God has so richly blessed this nation especially, that we still are a major food producer on the world market. This reality makes it all the sadder when we see images of starving men, women and children in various parts of the world. Where we can simply go to the local grocery store and buy what we need or want, many parts of the world wouldn’t have the means to buy food even if it was available. 

On a spiritual level this is even more true. In John 6:35 Christ said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes on Me shall never thirst,” (MKJV). For the majority of the world, this is a point hard to grasp. While many profess a belief in God’s way of life, living according to God’s Word is illusive for them. The world is hungry and thirsty, spiritually speaking, but the wrong things are pursued to satiate that hunger and thirst. In verses 32 & 33 Christ explained that He is the bread of God that gives life (satisfying that hunger and thirst) to the world.

While there are many reasons why the world cannot satiate their hunger and thirst for a fulfilling way of life that will lead to eternal life, we who are called now are without excuse. Do we hunger and thirst for the things of God – or are we seeking to fill hunger and thirst in parts of our life in ways apart from God? In Matthew 5:3-11 we have record of the Beatitudes (the Beautiful Attitudes) as Christ expounded them. In verse 6 He says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. What an amazing thought! The spiritual hunger that the world seeks to fill would be filled if they turned to righteousness. The righteousness required, of course, is the righteousness that comes from living God’s way of life.

Therein is the paradox for the world. The world wants the blessings – the satiation of spiritual hunger and thirst – that comes from righteousness, but the world doesn’t want to live a life of Godly righteousness. They cannot have it both ways – and neither can we. Who knows how much time is left before God sends Christ back to establish His Kingdom? We need to be about God’s business now (Luke 2:49) while there is still time. As Christ said in John 9:4 – “I must work the works of Him who sent Me, while it is day. Night comes when no man can work,” (MKJV).

Let’s then make the most of the time before us, now that we are past Pentecost and looking forward to the fall Holy Days. Let’s look to Christ to satisfy our hunger and thirst as we live in God’s righteousness. Let’s be about God’s business so that when night comes we will be ready to stand with Christ.

I wish you a relaxing and profitable Sabbath Day,

Dan Dowd

13 June, 2026