“‘ …Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you- they are your life.’” Deuteronomy 32: 46-47 (NIV)
My 13 year old son is an eating machine.
He is 6 feet tall and wears a size fourteen shoe. He has been growing like a weed and doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. I am constantly asked the question of where my offspring gets his height? I always reply the same, “I honestly don’t know but I’m not complaining because he loves to play basketball”.
Especially during growth spurts, Zack can really put away some food. He doesn’t discriminate either. My son will eat meats, sweets, fruits, veggies, breads, you name it- he wants it. There are days that it seems I don’t even step foot out of my kitchen because of his constant state of hunger. Even after eating a huge meal, my son is still scrounging in the pantry to find more food. He has an appetite that cannot be satisfied. In his words, he is starving. He always needs just a little bit more…
Wouldn’t it be great if I was starving too? No, not starving from being on the latest fad diet. But starving to dig deeper into God’s Word. How wonderful it would be if I had an enormous appetite for studying the Bible and praying.
I petition the Lord to bless me with a hunger to know Him in a deeper, more personal way. To never be satisfied – always wanting more.
I love the passage of scripture from Deuteronomy describing when Moses talked to the Israelites about God’s Word. He told the people the Scriptures were meant to be studied so they can be applied in their lives and passed on to others. That’s a good reminder for me also. The Bible isn’t filled with idle words. Those words require action. I need to learn more of God’s Word so I can diligently share it with others.
I hope my children will discover the importance of reading and applying the scriptures to everyday life. Hopefully a steady diet of the Bible, fruits, and veggies will keep them very healthy. Pray today that God will lavish a spiritual hunger on you also, that will foster your growth and maturity in His grace. Petition the Lord to mold you into an “eating machine” of His Word.
By Alisha Ritchie
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• Hunger and Thirst for God – by Charles Stanley
• Pursuing Shalom – by Allan Mitchell
• Holy Cravings – by Katherine Kehler