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Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. Genesis 9:3
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate--bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. Psalm 104:14-15
Today I’m praising God for his provision. As these two verses illustrate, everything we need to live and breathe and have our being has been provided to us by our loving Creator. Not only in the form of food for our bodies, but for every other need of our mind, spirit and soul.
I like vs. 15 in Psalm 104 in particular: “wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread that sustains his heart.” I think of wine as something used in celebration, or maybe more simply, joy. It makes our hearts glad. Oil is used throughout Scripture to denote the presence of the Holy Spirit, which makes us shine to those around us. The bread that sustains us is the living Word of God-Jesus Christ.
I have been particularly convicted lately of what I put in not only my body but also what I’m putting in my mind. II Corinthians 7:1 has been a verse I’ve been mediating on for awhile now-I have it written on my bathroom mirror in dry erase marker to read it every day-
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and mind, perfecting holiness out of reverence to God.”It got me thinking first about what I’m allowing into my physical body but then even more seriously about what I’m allowing into my spiritual body. To say I was convicted about both is an understatement.
Which leads me back to these verses about God’s provision-isn’t the pure, whole food that he provided for us to eat enough? Why do we feel the need to stuff ourselves and gorge on man-made, chemically altered, fake food? I am just as guilty as the next person. I love burgers and fries but I think eating meals like that is an exception rather than a rule. The last thing I want to do is come across as legalistic, but when overeating or poor eating becomes an addiction and our health is suffering, I think it’s time to take a good look at how God intended for us to live.
On top of that, and even more importantly, is the consideration of the worldly carnality we allow into our minds and souls. What do we allow to enter our home? Whether it’s in the form of books, magazines, music, TV or videos…are we making ourselves toxic with things that are anti-God? Are we consuming and consuming without thought to the inevitable consequences that sin brings to our lives? Sin feels great at first but leaves us feeling emptier and eventually diseased, unhealthy and ineffective. The same can be said of food. It’s like we get addicted to the initial sugar high and endorphin rush when we “pig out” but forget that two hours later we’ll be sluggish, tired and grouchy.
These verses have motivated me to be more conscious of what I put in my mind, let in my house and especially put in my mouth, and focus on getting a body (both inside and out) that glorifies God. I want to be radiant, healthy and take advantage of the abundance of good food, fellowship, joy, and His Word that God has provided us. Praise Him that he gives it to us in abundance when we seek it out!
