Food is a really big deal in my family. Most events (if not all) center around it. It could be Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or whenever. A lot of planning, effort, and money goes into what we’re going to eat. That’s probably the case for other families too. Food is important to most people. Whether it is what they are eating or what they’re not going to eat.
The Lord uses food as a symbolism for our desire of Him and for godly things. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied”. (Matthew 5:6, ESV). “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him”! (Psalm 34:8, ESV). The Lord Jesus referred to Himself as the “Bread of Life”. He went on to say “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh” (John 6:51).
But what if we’re not hungry? What if there isn’t an appetite for the Lord or for the things of the Lord? The Lord has solved for this with His Word. In his book, Future Grace, John Piper sized it up this way: “The role of God’s word is to feed faith’s appetite for God“. Should we find there simply isn’t a craving for the Lord, jumpstart the appetite by looking into His word. It’s in the scriptures that the appetite is stimulated.
Perhaps just small portions at first, but definitely on a daily/regular basis. Then while delving into His word, ask the Lord to do what we can’t do ourselves. “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law”. (Psalm 119:18 NIV). The CSV Bible version puts it plainly. “Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law”. Only the Lord can give a desire for Him. We don’t have it in ourselves to want God or god like things. (Romans 8:5-8). The Lord solely gives this but the wonderful news is that – He does give it. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds”. (Hebrews 10:16 ESV)
Praise be to God! There is hope. There is help and with these comes HUNGER!!