He Allows Me To Hunger

The Jordon River

Reflecting on these past several weeks of being in "a dry and weary land where there is no water" I came to my little Amy Carmichael book You Are My Hiding Place, and happened upon this. Can I say it any better? I think not. Can I thank and praise my Lord for bringing me to this place? Most definitely yes!

He Allows Me To Hunger

Amy Carmichael

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water… My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you (Psalm 63:1,5).


The son found himself in a barren place.


His Father said, “In this place I will give you the peace you are longing for. Here I will give you spiritual food that will nourish you. You are always with Me — no matter what the circumstances — and all that I have is yours.”


Then the Father, with great gentleness, drew the son to himself. Quietly, He said, I am the one who allowed you to come into these humbling circumstances, and allowed you to hunger. I did this so that I might feed you with manna — my bread from Heaven!


“Only in this way could I help you to know that you cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from My mouth.”


The son said, “Give me this bread always!”


And when he grew thirsty he learned to cry —, “The light of your face is my life!”


… Later still, the son wondered why one like himself, who is so richly fed and cared for at times, should at other times feel so poor and needy and thirsty.


His Father replied by asking four questions:


“Can someone who has never thirsted know how precious is My living water?


“Can someone who has never discovered rivers of these living waters flowing on barren heights — can he ever lead his thirsty friend to those rivers?


“Can someone who has never walked the deep valleys of the spirit help a friend who is fainting — or lead this friend to the well-springs that will save the life of his soul?


“Can someone who has never seen burning sands in the wilderness turn into a refreshing pool — can he speak in praise of My marvels, or My power?

My Father, I’ve been struggling within, because of some of the places life has led me … and struggling with you, too. …

I come to you today, Father, and ask you to begin refreshing and nourishing my soul again