APPETITE supposes life, and is regulated by nature: the carnal appetite is satisfied with carnal things; but a Christian can only be satisfied with spiritual things. He hungers to enjoy an interest in Christ; for righteousness wrought in him by the Spirit, and given to him by Jesus; to be conformed to the image of Christ; to know Him extensively, experimentally, and practically; to enjoy God as his portion; and that Christ may be magnified in him by life or by death. His appetite is fixed on its object; no substitute can be found; it is only as he feeds upon Christ that he enjoys satisfaction. Beloved, how is it with you this morning? Are you hungering for Jesus? He filleth the hungry with good things: He pronounces them blessed. They are blessed with spiritual life; with an interest in the things for which they hunger; and with the operations of the Holy Spirit. None but God can produce this hunger, and only God can satisfy it: and He will: for He has said, THEY SHALL BE FILLED. This is plain, positive, unconditional, and certain. Believe it and be happy.
Bless'd are the souls that thirst for grace, Hunger and long for righteousness; They shall be well supplied, and fed With living streams and living bread: Oh, may my hungry soul receive The food on which Thy people live.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
APPETITE supposes life, and is regulated by nature: the carnal appetite is satisfied with carnal things; but a Christian can only be satisfied with spiritual things. He hungers to enjoy an interest in Christ; for righteousness wrought in him by the Spirit, and given to him by Jesus; to be conformed to the image of Christ; to know Him extensively, experimentally, and practically; to enjoy God as his portion; and that Christ may be magnified in him by life or by death. His appetite is fixed on its object; no substitute can be found; it is only as he feeds upon Christ that he enjoys satisfaction. Beloved, how is it with you this morning? Are you hungering for Jesus? He filleth the hungry with good things: He pronounces them blessed. They are blessed with spiritual life; with an interest in the things for which they hunger; and with the operations of the Holy Spirit. None but God can produce this hunger, and only God can satisfy it: and He will: for He has said, THEY SHALL BE FILLED. This is plain, positive, unconditional, and certain. Believe it and be happy.
Bless'd are the souls that thirst for grace, Hunger and long for righteousness; They shall be well supplied, and fed With living streams and living bread: Oh, may my hungry soul receive The food on which Thy people live.