"The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet."
When I read this chapter on Sunday morning, this verse jumped out at me. And, the first thing I thought about was drug addictions.
You see, people who use drugs fall under 2 general categories: those who are bored and those who are in pain.
As to the first group, people who are satisfied with life (ie, referring to the full souls of verse 7a) and all its offerings tend not to have a place for Jesus Christ. Their attitude is, "I don't need religion." Sadly, they're missing the point. What they need and don't have is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Thus, they go through life getting their fill and loathing the goodness of God's word, which is referred to as being sweeter than honey in Psalm 119:103. On a full stomach of worldliness, they hate something as simple and sweet as honey. As a consequence of their self-satisfaction, these people become bored (Proverbs 27:20). And, idleness leads to selfishness (Eze. 16:49). It's in that boredom that people start experimenting with drugs.
On the other hand, the 2nd group of people are hungry. They're starving and will eat anything, even if it's bitter. These people are in obvious pain and will go to any lengths to fill their hunger. You see, they are in pain (physical, emotional, etc.) and need to dull their ache and misery. And, if the bitter thing is what fills the hungry soul then so be it.
A telling and stark account is found in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. You see both conditions in the young man. Consider these verses:
1. "And [Christ] said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living." Luke 15:11-13
Here we read that the young man lived it up, whooped it up and raised Cain (pardon the pun) until he ran out of funds, as it were. With his inheritance, he lived the fine life, became satisfied and delved into an ungodly lifestyle. Why? Because his soul was full!
2. "And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him." Luke 15:15-16.
Now we find our fine young man is lacking basic resources and is so very much hungry that even the the corn husks intended for the pigs looked delicious to him. You see, friend, even the bitter things are sweet to the hungered soul!
Reader, are you struggling with some addiction today? Be free of it once and for all by surrendering and submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He will set you free (John 8:32). You won't hunger or thirst for things of this world.
Look at what Scripture promises:
John 6:35"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Rev. 7:16-17
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Friend, isn't it about time for you to turn your hungry soul over to the Lord Jesus Christ for nourishment? Aren't you yet dissatisfied with life and its offerings? If so, now's the time to look to Jesus for your true satisfaction. You've been reading post after post in this blog and have heard the Good News time and again. The day is far spent and tomorrow is not promised.
Please settle this matter now. Don't leave this website without first getting right with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Here's how: The Plan of Salvation
No comments:
Post a Comment