“One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” Proverbs 27:7
Devotional Thought For The Day
This is perhaps the greatest reason for exercising moderation. There were few times as a young lad that I “glutted” myself on something sweet. There was the large sack full of candy from Halloween. There were the huge meals at Thanksgiving. And I do remember large “summer chocolate” crosses that we got at Easter – which tasted extraordinarily sweet. I still remember the time as a young man I tried to drink a gallon of A & W root beer. About half way through this delicious beverage tasted horrible. On the other side of the proverb, if one is really thirsty a simple drink of water seems almost heavenly. And if one is truly famished a pork and bean sandwich can taste as good as the best steak. I suppose one could get hungry enough that even broccoli might taste good.
It is a curious thing that even what we crave and delight in, once we have become accustomed to it, tends to lose its specialness and appeal, and this is true of a number of things. So the little proverb “variety is the spice of life” contains a good bit of truth. However, it is also important to recognize the variety and nuance in the common things that God has given us, and goodness in the things that we become familiar with. In some things, variety is not a singular blessing. Still, balance is important and we have to take care not to completely destroy our appetite for and our joy in things by over-indulging in them. If we are careful and moderating in our use of the things God has given us, we will continue to find great delight in all of His blessings.
The one thing that should never blunt our hunger and desire is a true and genuine understanding of God’s great love for us. It is certain that we can grow tired of many things in our life within the church – and some of the programs and activities designed to “feed” us with the “honey” of God’s Word of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and eternal hope have their time, run their course, and lose their appeal. I suppose sermons can become like this, or the sermons of the same pastor over the course of many years. Perhaps the greater cause of this is the pastor who has lost delight in hearing God’s Word, growing in the knowledge of His love, and perhaps the joy of preparing sermons.
But there is still the Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood – which is simple, mysterious, deep, and profound, if we take His Words seriously. If we grow sated of this it is certainly not because we have had too much of it, but rather because of something amiss within us, some blindness or callousness by which we no longer understand our need for Christ’s gracious presence and forgiveness, and have lost the sense of the blessedness of His fellowship with us. When this happens we should recognize it for what it is, and in the repentance that follows we are prepared once again to taste the sweetness of God’s gracious mercy and love.
I suspect that it is because of a starvation for God’s gracious love for us that many turn to the “bitter” alternatives of false religion or even atheism, and find them appealing. I’m sure that you have met people who are thrilled and enamored with various types of “religion” and “spirituality” that are completely devoid of any real understanding of God’s magnificent love for us in Christ Jesus, and are therefore nothing more than a trip into self-delusion. Nothing is sadder and more tragic. The antidote to this is for us to eat and drink even more deeply of God’s great love for us in Christ – for this always leads to even greater hunger and thirst for His righteousness. [Matt. 5:6] In all the other things that we “consume,” it is certain that moderation is best!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to remain happy and content with all the blessings You have provided for us by keeping us from gluttony and satiety. Grant us ever greater hunger and thirst for the wonderful sweetness of Your love for us and Your goodness. Preserve us from all desire for the bitter things of sin and misbelief. Help us to grow in Your wisdom. Amen.