As I was reading Colossians this morning, I came across something that has always been evident in Scripture but not apparent to me until now. It is what I call “strength and hunger”. Paul says in chapter 1, verses 9 and 10, “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Since hearing of their faith, Paul has prayed that they would stand strong, bearing fruit of the Gospel in their lives, while having a passionate hunger to know the Lord more.

These are encouraging words for us. First, they speak to the here and now. To be cleansed from sin and live in the light of God’s love and truth is not a futuristic expectation; we live in that reality now, no matter if the Lord has recently brought you to saving faith in Christ or a seasoned Christian.

Secondly, and just as important, we should always posses an insatiable craving for knowing the Lord. It’s a craving that should not go away until we meet Him in heaven, and even then it may not go away!

Brothers and sisters, take great delight in the Lord and where He has you NOW, but don’t neglect that deep desire to know Him more and in a much fuller way!