We all hunger. Our bodies require nourishment to function properly, stay healthy, and thrive. Most of us don’t worry about from where our next meal is coming. The only question is, “With what do we fill ourselves?”
One of the things Jesus taught us to pray is, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11 NASB). Now, was He talking about physical bread (food) or spiritual bread or both? Before you answer, consider this statement Jesus made, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 NASB). Clearly, Jesus is aware of the body’s need for physical nourishment, but His overwhelming emphasis is on the nourishment of our very souls by the Word of God – the Bread of Life.
Physical malnutrition is fairly easy to see. In fact, images of the hundreds of millions people worldwide who are either starving or malnourished prompt us to change the channel rather than see the walking skeletons, severe bloating, rampant disease, and debilitating lethargy – all stemming from a profound emptiness in their digestive systems.
But what about the symptoms of spiritual malnutrition? Perhaps busyness, despair, discontentment, self-centeredness, bitterness, fear, worry, strife, greed, lust, pride, or worldliness should make the diagnostic list…just to name a few.
Consider the amount of “Bread” Americans are surrounded by. It’s not like we don’t have access to true nourishment for our souls? The irony is akin to a starving man trapped in a grocery store – encircled by an abundance of food, he slowly perishes. Oh, there is a difference between proximity and nourishment. It’s like a famine in the land of plenty.
We must realize our soul’s need to be fed – not with junk food and the empty calories of this world, but with the Bread of Life – Jesus – The Word. It is possible to be full of something and yet still hungry for true nourishment. No wonder Job says, “I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12 NIV).
Here’s my closing challenge to you: approach God’s Word just like you would an exquisite meal. Set your expectations high. Look forward to the joyful fellowship and incredible conversation you’ll have with Jesus. He is the Word so when you read His Word you should hear His voice. Engage all your senses. Experience it. Taste it. Feast on it. Digest it. Be nourished by it. Allow its inherent, supernatural power to bring energy, fullness, and life to your entire being. Let it be on your heart as you walk in it and on your lips as you share the Bread of Life with a starving world.
Are you hungry? Jesus is calling, “Come dine with Me!” “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8 NASB)
© 2013 Tim McKenzie – www.OnEveryWord.com