“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
(Psalm 34:8)
Eating food is as common—and necessary—to human existence as breathing air. Though we need food to survive, our reminder to eat does not come upon us suddenly in painful pangs, as with many other forms of addiction. Rather, our reminder to eat comes as a gentle, hollow feeling in the abdomen. Seeing through the eyes of faith, we understand this to be an expression of the Creator’s love, care, and concern for us. Even more telling is the enormous variety of tasty food that exists in nature, which can be combined in almost limitless ways for our nutrition and enjoyment. What an amazing testimony to the goodness of God towards His human image-bearers (Acts 14:15-17). As enjoyable as eating delicious food can be, it is far more enjoyable when it is done in the company of family and friends! In God’s original, “very good” world (Genesis 1:31, the first humans enjoyed an almost endless variety of delicious food (Genesis 2:16). Most importantly, the first humans enjoyed loving communion with God. Our human progenitors were free, under God, to eat any of the good food He had generously provided. There was one tree, however, they were forbidden to eat from. God warned them that if they ate from it they would die (Genesis 2:17). Sadly, they disobeyed God’s simple command and their disobedience literally ruined everything. Adam and Eve were the delegated king and queen of the created order under heaven (Psalm 115:16). When they fell, the whole created order fell also (Romans 8:22). “By one man sin entered into the world,” declared the great apostle, “and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). This death involves more than our physical bodies going defunct one day; it involves the eternal separation from God, Who is Himself the source of all that is good. We praise God that though He is just, He is also merciful, not willing that people perish in their sins (2 Peter 3:9). To spare us, God the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world (John 1:1,14; 1 John 4:14; 1 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2). Just as food keeps us alive physically, Jesus keeps alive spiritually those that trust in him for salvation. The Lord invited those who thirsted (not for physical drink but for those things necessary for eternal life) to come to Him and he would meet their need. “If any man thirst,” invited the Savior, “let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). He is likewise the Bread of life, “which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:33). “He that cometh to me shall never hunger;” promised Jesus, “and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). As we reflect on these wonderful realities, may the Spirit of God Himself give us supernatural strength and encouragement, that we might honor Him and bless others also.
God bless you , dear saints,
Pastor John
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