Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. – Psalm 136:25
It is hard to imagine anyone deliberately starving himself! Most of us who live in the United States have much more to eat than we really need, as well as having a good variety of food from which to choose.
Recently, I had a procedure done at the hospital that required me to go without solid food for two nights and a whole day. Because I was allowed clear liquids, I was not even close to starvation, although it felt like it. Each time I opened the refrigerator door I saw the chicken enchiladas I had made previously, but, of course, I could not have any. Also, I had received a box of chocolates for my birthday, and it was sitting on the kitchen counter. Oh, how my hand wanted to reach out and take just one! It was pure drudgery getting through the day.
On the last night of my “fast,” I woke up in the night with hunger pangs. I began to feel sick and weak from not having solid food. Just as soon as I could, I made myself a bowl of oatmeal and some coffee with cream. How good it tasted!
Most of us really do not like to go very long without natural food, but the Bible states that our spiritual needs are greater than our physical needs. Sometimes, I have found myself skimping on the amount of Bible reading I do. At times the Lord has asked me, “Do you read your Bible as much as you read other books?” This always helps me try to make sure my daily devotions are not shortened.
Let’s not become spiritually weak by omitting our spiritual food of reading the Bible and prayer, both of which feed our souls. Rather, let us challenge ourselves to make time with God a regular part of our lives. We will enjoy eating at His table.