Why Do We Hunger Despite God's Promise to Meet Our Needs?

Letter to an 11-Year-Old: Why Are We Hungry If God Promises to Meet Our Needs?

Dear Friend,

I'm writing this letter to you with a heart full of compassion, love, and understanding for your situation. You are not alone in your struggle to understand why we hunger even though God promises to meet all our needs. It's a perplexing question that has troubled many people, including Christians, for centuries.

However, I want you to know that God's word has an answer to every question, including yours. So let's explore together what the Bible says about God's promises, needs, and hunger.

The Promise of God

The Bible is full of promises that God has made to his people. One of the most famous verses that talk about God's promise is found in Philippians 4:19, which says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

This verse assures us that God will provide for all our needs, not just some, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. It's an incredible promise that we can hold onto with unwavering faith.

However, it's important to understand what God means by our needs. God doesn't promise to give us everything we want or desire, but only what we need to fulfill his purposes in our lives.

For example, Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Jesus is telling us that if we seek God's kingdom and righteousness first, then God will add all the things we need to our lives.

So when we talk about God's promise to meet our needs, we need to understand that it's not just about our physical needs, but also our spiritual needs. God promises to provide us with everything we need to live a life that honors him and fulfills his purpose for us.

The Purpose of Our Needs

God created us with needs, both physical and spiritual, for a reason. Our needs are not a sign of weakness, but rather a reminder that we are dependent on God for everything.

In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses tells the Israelites, "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Moses is reminding the Israelites that God allowed them to hunger in the wilderness to teach them that their physical needs are not the only thing that sustains them, but also the word of God.

Similarly, Jesus says in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." Jesus is telling us that he is the ultimate source of our needs, both physical and spiritual.

So when we hunger, we can see it as an opportunity to draw closer to God, to seek his word and his presence, and to rely on him for everything. Our needs remind us of our dependence on God and our need for him in every aspect of our lives.

The Reality of Hunger

While God promises to meet all our needs, we still live in a fallen world where hunger, poverty, and suffering exist. It's a reality of life that we must acknowledge and address.

However, God has not left us alone to suffer in this world. He has given us the power to make a difference in the lives of those who hunger and suffer.

In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

Jesus is telling us that when we serve the needs of others, we are serving him. We have the power to make a difference in the lives of those who hunger and suffer by feeding them, clothing them, visiting them, and caring for them.

God has given us the power and resources to fulfill his purposes on earth, including feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the sick. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world by serving those who hunger and suffer.

The Hope of the Future

As Christians, we have the hope of a future where hunger, poverty, and suffering will no longer exist. In Revelation 21:4, John says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

John is describing the new heaven and new earth that God has promised to his people. It's a future where all our needs will be met, and there will be no more hunger, poverty, or suffering. It's a future where we will live in perfect harmony with God and each other.

Until that day comes, we must continue to trust in God's promise to meet our needs, seek his kingdom and righteousness first, serve the needs of others, and hold onto the hope of a future where hunger and suffering will be no more.

Conclusion

My dear friend, I hope this letter has brought you some clarity and comfort in your struggle to understand why we hunger even though God promises to meet our needs.

Remember that God's promise to meet our needs is not just about our physical needs, but also our spiritual needs. Our needs remind us of our dependence on God and our need for him in every aspect of our lives.

While hunger and suffering exist in this world, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of those who need our help. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world by serving those who hunger and suffer.

Finally, let us hold onto the hope of a future where all our needs will be met, and there will be no more hunger, poverty, or suffering. It's a future that God has promised to his people, and it's a future that we can look forward to with hope and joy.

May the peace and love of God be with you always.

Your friend,

[Your Name]