External Things Never Satisfy Eternal Longings.
“I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry.” John 6:35 NIV.
My thoughts and comments today are about the, “Bread of Life.”
Hunger is a strong motivation, impossible to ignore and common to us all. I think that inner alert is God-given. God crafted your body to know when it needs replenishing, whether that be for nutrition, rest, or exercise. Your body responds to its lack by sending a signal and waiting for the expected response.
If the signal is ignored and no response comes, the body protects its vital organs by shutting down things less essential and redirecting the diminishing supply of the body’s stored resources where most needed. To protect and supply critical organs, the heart, lungs, and brain, the body gradually grows weaker from the lack of nourishment, and the process of starving begins.
Make no mistake; there is a hunger of the soul. Similar to your physical body, the human spirit is also created to need nourishment and replenishing in unique and internal ways. People fail to recognize their spiritual hunger or misinterpret those inner longings, trying to fill a growing emptiness with many things that will never satisfy, such as money, possessions, busyness, thrills, amusements, sex, drugs, alcohol, and the like. Such efforts go to excess, and yet remain never enough. Too many people fail to recognize the origin of the soul’s hunger.
David voiced the desire of every Godly heart. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2 NIV. External things will never satisfy eternal longings. Listen to your heart; feed your soul.
Job was right, “I have esteemed the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12. Can you say that?Jesus, described Himself as the Bread of Life. He invites you to know that He alone will satisfy the deepest and greatest longings, and you will never be hungry again. Your ultimate desire will be wanting more of Jesus and His Word. Jesus must be first in your life. Jesus was clear, “But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:50-51 NIV.
Eternal life is reserved for those who value abundant life now and prize eternal life forever.His ample supply is always available and ever abundant. His provision is not automatic; you must come to Him. Here’s how Jesus taught you to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11. Jesus is that bread given to you everyday. Enjoy His ample provision to the fullness.
You receive this life-giving, daily bread through the regular practice of true worship (John 4:23-24), personal prayer (Ephesians 6:18/Romans 12:12), time with your Bible (Psalm 119:11), thoughtful reflection on truth (Psalm 1:1-3), and meaningful fellowship with others who are seeking the same Source and satisfaction, as are you (Hebrews 10:24-25). Those spiritual practices become your spiritual sustenance and strength.
These important, spiritual disciplines provide satisfaction that is much fuller and more lasting than any and everything else with which you might attempt to feed your soul. Jesus promised, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.
Today, I pray for you to nurture a heart set on things above and not below.
Christian Communications 2019
Website and archives: allenrandolph.com