Fill 'er Up

I am not a Biblical scholar.  I can't read Greek or Hebrew.  I don't understand every detail of what the Bible teaches. At times in my study of the Word I am left with questions.  But I have seen the truth of the Word of GOD shine through time and time again.  Even though I don't completely understand every aspect of the scriptures, I understand enough to convince me that it is wholly consistent and that there is no other grouping of writings that makes sense, in terms of the spiritual life, when placed next to the Bible.  This is part of what keeps me coming back to my Bible day after day.

Now it does not surprise me that many people reject the Bible and its teachings.  The Bible is tough on us sometimes.  What we learn in scripture is that we are evil, wretched, fallen beings in need of a savior, and that that savior was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our mistakes (called "sins"), then conquered death as he rose from the grave after three days.  It also then teaches us that we gain eternal life when we believe in Jesus Christ, this proves that we are not the center of our worlds and that we must be willing to let go of our selfish desires and grab ahold of the will of GOD.   Now this runs contrary to our sinful, selfish nature.  So why, if given no other information than this, would I agree to that?

It all sounds a little ridiculous.

However, it is through a study of the scripture and of ourselves (that is, ourselves in relation to said scripture) that we cannot avoid the truth of the Bible. It speaks very clearly to who we are and how we exist.  Still you will see a great number of people who are fooled by teachings other than the Bible.  There is a constant barrage of half-truths and misdirections that are thrown at us from all sides, be they television advertising, false religion, or just appeals to our most basic, selfish, and foolish instincts.  The answer to such attacks is simple.  KNOW THE WORD OF GOD.

Proverbs 27:7 says, "He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet."

You see we are all hungry.  We were created to have a relationship with GOD our Father and since the fall we are born and raised outside of that relationship.  Because of this separation we find ourselves always searching to fill that gap, that need, that is now in place.  Everyone tries to fill that gap with something.  For many it is a spiritual quest, of sorts.  They try other religions, sects, and cults, but they're never satisfied.  Others try to fill the void with stuff, money, success, relationships, sex, food or drugs, but they never satisfy either.  It is only in Jesus Christ that we find the gratification of that deep seeded need.

It is this need that creates the deep-seeded hunger to be filled.  This is why it is important to know the Word of GOD.  When we understand the Bible we are filled, we receive the bread of life.  In John 6:35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry..."  On the other hand, when we lack Biblical knowledge, we will use something else, anything else, to fill our lives up.  This is where so many people are lead astray.  They are taken in by lies and half-truths that are enticing on the surface, though, in the end, they lead to destruction.

When I lived in Nashville, TN I had no money.  There were a few months that I paid my bills and rent and was left with less than $100 to my name (I can vividly remember one month where I had $47 in my checking account and a $10 bill in my wallet).  I became great at bargin shopping.  The discount grocery store, Aldi's, was my best friend.  One of the things I made sure to do was to only go shopping after I had eaten a meal.  Why?  Because when you're hungry everything looks good, but if you're full you are able to discern what you NEED and what simply looks good.  Do you need to spend a couple dollars on cookies and ice cream, or is that money better used on meat and foods that can actually sustain you?  It's astounding how much junk food you will buy when you're hungry.

Our spiritual hunger works the same.  When we are overcome with desire we will reach for whatever is in front of us and offers to fill us up whether that idea will sustain us or not.  When we take on the junk that the world offers us we find that what looks appealing will eventually cause us even greater pain.  In our hunger we fail to recognize the bitterness.  When we are are full with the Word of GOD, on the other hand, we are given the wisdom of the Spirit and we can see the truth for what it is.  We are given strength to put off the things that Satan tempts us with, the sin that is sweet upon our lips but sours when it hits our stomachs.

So, today, fill up on the Word of GOD.  Take time to let GOD's truth cover over you.  Satiate the hunger of the will of the LORD.