Needy by Default
Jesus healed people who were sick and fed people who were hungry. Because of that, great crowds were following Him. But He wanted them to know that who He was was greater than what He had to offer…
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35 NIV
God could have hardwired us to need nothing. But instead, He made us dependent on things like food, water, oxygen, sleep, sunlight—and Him. He designed this world intentionally, with specific needs and certain limitations.
We are needy by default.
Just as food and water are essential for human life, everyday realities point us to spiritual truths…
We need Jesus even more than we need the essentials of life.
We can search for fulfillment in our work and relationships, as well as in money, fame, power, sex, achievement, and adventure. But it all results in emptiness—like chasing after the wind.
So let’s not follow Jesus merely for what He has to offer, but for who He is. Let’s realize that this world will never satisfy, but we already have access to true nourishment.
We can come to Him to be filled because He is the bread of life!
God Never Changes
Between the year 640 to 608 BC, the prophet Zephaniah spoke to the people of Israel. He warned them of God’s judgment, but he also reminded them of God’s promise for their future.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
We aren’t the people of Israel in 640 BC hearing this, but, as students of God’s Word, we can also find comfort in Zephaniah’s words.
We know that God came into our midst through Jesus and that He gave us His Spirit when we believed (John 1:14; Galatians 4:6). We also know that we are deeply loved by God (1 John 4:16). Paul teaches that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we pray to Him (Philippians 4:6-7).
So although we are not Zephaniah’s original audience, we can find comfort in knowing that God is the same throughout all generations. He is still in our...