Nothing is as satisfying as a good meal when you’re hungry. Most of us are blessed to have full refrigerators and stocked pantries. It’s easy to grab a snack any time of the day the stomach growls.

But what about spiritual hunger?

Jesus said if we believe on Him and go to Him we would never go hungry, for He is the “bread of life.”

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’” (John 6:35) 

Any time we find ourselves spiritually malnourished and wanting, we need only call upon Jesus and He will give us all we need.

It’s easy to feel “full” after a great spiritual experience—a church weekend, an inspiring sermon, Christian music, or an exciting time of seeing God at work—but do we mistakenly go on thinking radio broadcasts and big weekends alone will satisfy our hunger? 

Some, when spiritually hungry, quickly run to the phone to talk with a friend. Or, they try to feed their hunger with other things—time at the day spa or gym, chocolate, or some other relaxing or feel-good activity.

While all of these things may have value, none replace our need for daily time with the Master, the true “bread of life”. 

In the Old Testament, God had the children of Israel wander in the wilderness for forty years in order to learn to humble themselves, trust Him, and hear His voice. (Exodus 16, Nehemiah 9:15)

During this time, God rained manna (bread) from heaven every day to feed them. If they tried to save some of the bread for the next day it would go bad. They had to rely on God’s provision for physical bread one day at a time.

“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) 

Likewise they had to learn to seek and trust God daily to experience His presence and hear His voice. 

This record, being a model for Christ, corresponds with Jesus’ words after He was tempted in the wilderness for forty days:

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [Greek = rhema: speaking] that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:1-4) 

Just as the children of Israel and the Son of God learned to rely on God for daily sustenance, our spiritual nourishment—through time in His Word and conversation with Him—like the manna, is something we must seek daily.

Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Jesus is the bread of life. In His presence we will never go hungry.

Have you dined at the Lord’s table today?

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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