Why Seeking God Deeply Transforms Your Faith

Cultivating a fervent desire for God not only deepens our spiritual journey but also unlocks the transformative power of His presence in our lives.

When I was in second grade, my teacher gave me an assignment to memorize Psalm 23. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the depth of the psalm or what it truly meant to have God as my Shepherd. I was just a kid, after all! But here’s the incredible thing—those words I memorized as a child have stuck with me throughout my life. Even now, I can still recite Psalm 23 from memory: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." (Psalm 23:1-3, ESV).

I didn’t realize it back then, but this early experience with the Word of God planted seeds of trust and faith in my heart that continue to grow today. That’s the beauty of Scripture—it doesn’t just fade away. It stays with us, shaping us, transforming us, and drawing us closer to the heart of God.

But here’s the thing: we have to want it. We have to hunger and thirst for more of God, just like we hunger for food and thirst for water. Without that desire, our spiritual lives can become dry, stagnant, and unfulfilled.

Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of what happens when we hunger and thirst for God. David describes God as a Shepherd who not only cares for our physical needs but also satisfies the deepest longings of our souls. "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." (Psalm 23:2-3, ESV). When we pursue God with a deep desire for more of His presence, He leads us to those places of peace and restoration. But that pursuit is an active choice—we have to seek Him, allowing our spiritual hunger to draw us into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him.

The Importance of Hunger and Thirst

Jesus says in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Think about that for a moment—Jesus is saying that the blessed ones are those who have a deep, consuming desire for righteousness, for more of God’s presence and character in their lives. There’s a promise attached to that hunger: those who seek Him will be filled.

But here’s the reality: many of us, after experiencing the joy of salvation, fall into a comfortable routine. We stop pursuing God with the same fervor we had in the beginning. It’s like we’ve had a sip of water, and now we think we’re good, when in reality, God has an endless well for us to draw from.

Our walk with Jesus was never meant to be static. Growth is essential. Romans 10:17 reminds us that, "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." If we’re not continually feeding on God’s Word, how can we expect our faith to grow? Faith is like a muscle—it gets stronger the more we use it, but it also requires the right nutrients, and those nutrients come from the Word.

Learning From Those Who Hungered

Throughout the Bible, we find incredible examples of people who embodied this hunger for God. These stories show us what it means to continually seek Him, even when life is difficult.

Take Daniel, for instance. Living in a foreign land, surrounded by a culture that didn’t honor God, Daniel could have easily conformed. But instead, he chose to stay committed to God in prayer and fasting. Three times a day, Daniel got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God. Despite the threats to his life, his hunger for God never waned. And because of his faithfulness, God gave him favor and protected him, even when he was thrown into the lions' den. His life is a testament to the fact that those who hunger for God will see Him move in miraculous ways.

Or consider Noah, who was called by God to build an ark when the world around him was wicked beyond belief. Noah didn’t just follow God out of obligation—he followed because he trusted God completely. His hunger for righteousness, in the midst of chaos, led to the preservation of humanity. Noah’s story teaches us that when we choose to hunger for God in a world full of distractions, we can become vessels of God’s grace and salvation for those around us.

And then there’s Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers and later unjustly imprisoned, Joseph had every reason to give up. Yet, throughout his trials, he remained focused on God. His thirst for God’s righteousness didn’t diminish, even when his circumstances seemed hopeless. Because Joseph remained faithful, God not only restored him but elevated him to a position of authority in Egypt. Joseph’s story is a beautiful reminder that our hunger for God will always be met with His faithfulness.

Leading by Example

As someone who leads others in worship, this hunger for God is even more critical. Whether we realize it or not, we set the spiritual temperature for those we lead. If we are content with surface-level faith, how can we expect those we lead to go deeper in their worship? But if we are hungry for more of God—if we are constantly seeking Him in prayer, worship, and the Word—then those we lead will naturally be drawn into that same pursuit.

Picture it like this: when you’re leading a caravan of cars on a road trip, if you pull over and stop, the cars behind you will stop too. But if you keep driving forward, navigating new terrain, those following you will keep moving as well. As worship leaders, parents, or mentors, we can’t afford to stop our spiritual journey. We need to keep pressing forward, seeking new depths in our relationship with God so that those following us—whether that’s our church, our family, or our friends—can be inspired to do the same.

What Does It Mean to Hunger for God?

Hunger for God isn’t about checking off a list of spiritual duties. It’s about a deep, inner desire to know God more intimately. It’s waking up in the morning and realizing that nothing else in this world will satisfy like time spent in His presence. It’s realizing that you’d rather be with Him than anywhere else. David captures this longing beautifully in Psalm 63:1 when he writes, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (ESV).

David’s hunger for God wasn’t casual—it was a soul-deep craving. He knew that without God, he was parched, like a man wandering in a desert. And that’s exactly how we should feel when we go too long without spending time with God. Our spirits should be crying out, longing to be filled with His presence.

How Do We Cultivate This Hunger?

1. Spend time in God’s Word: The Bible is like spiritual food. Just as you wouldn’t go days without eating, don’t starve your spirit by neglecting time in the Word. Start with Psalms—David’s prayers and songs teach us how to worship. But don’t stop there. Dive into the lives of people like Daniel, Noah, and Joseph. Let their stories inspire you to seek God with all your heart.

2. Pray with intention: Prayer isn’t just a ritual; it’s a conversation with God. Come to Him with an open heart, sharing your desires, struggles, and thanksgiving. As you spend time in His presence, you’ll find your hunger for Him increasing. Pray like David did—honestly and passionately.

3. Surround yourself with others who hunger for God: Just as a fire needs fuel, your faith needs others around you who are equally passionate about God. Surround yourself with people who push you to go deeper, who challenge you to seek more of God. Their hunger will fuel your own.

4. Act on what you learn: As you study the Word and seek God, put it into practice. Don’t just be hearers of the Word—be doers. As you act on God’s truth, you’ll see His hand at work in your life, and your desire for Him will grow even more.

This week, make an intentional effort to feed your spirit. Spend time each day reading the Bible—whether it’s a chapter in Psalms or a story from Genesis. Let the Word soak into your heart, renewing your hunger for God. And remember the promise Jesus gave in Matthew 5:6: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

If you pursue God with your whole heart, He will satisfy you in ways you never thought possible. So, let’s get hungry! Let’s press in for more of His presence, more of His Word, and more of His righteousness in our lives.