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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Someone told me that the Bible talks about happiness while hungering and thirsting. It speaks of people hardening their hearts toward God. What do these things really mean, and does God really give up on us? – H.H.

A: From Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, we read His words: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV).

We can all understand the metaphor that Jesus employed here – hunger and thirst – but we must read on to understand for what do we hunger and thirst? We have all experienced sometime in our lives the gnawing pain and the faint feeling which accompanies intense hunger. We know what it is to experience the dry parchedness of thirst. We also know the satisfaction when we finally have something to eat and drink.

Let’s remember that hunger is a sign of life. People who are dead need no food; they crave no water.

The Bible also teaches that it is possible through lack of spiritual food to harden one’s heart as Pharaoh did long ago. This is one of the most dangerous processes that can take place in the human soul. It is possible through sin to harden our hearts against God so long that we lose all desire for Him. Then the Scripture says, “God also gave them up” (Romans 1:24, NKJV).

Those who have no cravings for God, no longings for Christ, and no thirst for the things of the Spirit are not only dead in trespasses and sin but also in danger of eternal judgment. If we have the slightest bit of hunger in our hearts for God and His righteousness, then it is a sign that our hearts can still be receptive to the voice and message of Christ.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.