Desperate For God

There are three types of desperation and how they are brought about.

1. The Choices We Make.

Automatically, when we talk of desperation or being desperate, we think of hopelessness and despair. We often think of that rock bottom experience, where we have no where else to turn, no one else to turn to, and we feel alone and helpless. Yes, there are times when we get to this point and we come to a realization that we need God desperately! We realize that He, alone, can help us and change us! This type of desperation is brought about by our own choices. The Prodigal son comes to mind in Luke 15 starting in verse 11. This son, by his own choosing, found himself in the middle of a pig pen. Not only in it but eating the slop fed to the pigs. He came to himself and got desperate. He goes to the father and the father forgives him and restores him. This shows God’s willingness and readiness to forgive and restore us, despite our choices!

2. The Persecution of Others

Psa_142:6  Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

This cry for help shows a desperation. Take comfort, when you feel surrounded by the enemy of your soul, when you are fighting the destructive words of those around you, when you feel like you have fought all you can; God is still there beside you! Take comfort, for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1Jn_4:4)!

3. The Great Desire for More

“Desperation isn’t only for when you’ve hit rock bottom, but is also for when you’re on the mountain top.”

I told one of my young people this recently. I had brought several to a youth conference and my reoccurring thought was, “We need to be desperate for God!” This is what I really want to focus on. We so often come into God’s house, get a blessing, and leave feeling great. However, somewhere between the church door and the following day we get complacent and satisfied with what we received, that we don’t strive for anymore.

Desperate has another definition.  “Having a great need or desire for something.” I would like to show you some examples of men who were desperate for God.

Paul:

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

My favorite Scripture is this one right here. Particularly verse 12. “Apprehend” speaks of desperation, but it’s not a desperation of hopelessness, but rather one of great desire!

David:

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

“Panteth” speaks of a great longing! A great desperation for a touch from God! For fellowship with the Lord Almighty!

Moses:

Exo_33:18  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

“Beseech” is to urge great! To beg! To be desperate for God’s glory…for God Himself!

I also told this young person, “If you remain desperate for God, even on the mountain top, then that desperation will keep you in the valley!”

Lord, help us not to grow complacent and satisfied, that we lose our desire for you! Help us God to be desperate for you! Help us to do whatever is necessary to pursue you! Help us to long for you, even on the mountain top!

 

God bless,

Bro. Thomas Hammond