Comfort Food. Do you easily lapse into fond thoughts of those particular foods which make you feel as if all is right with the world?
Mine are homemade soup and dark chocolate. I'd happily indulge in the former more often if it were as readily available as the latter. And since one should only have so much chocolate, I'm more likely to indulge in comfort drinks. I like cool water generously laced with fresh lemon, hot black coffee, or perhaps a glass of a not-too-dry Riesling. I needn't even sip of them to feel happy. Simply holding a cup or glass of one is enough to impart harmony with the world.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
~ John 16:33 (NKJV)
John gives us an in depth, five-chapter glimpse of that last night Jesus spent with His disciples. Jesus may have spoken at such length on any other night, but it is only these final and fatal hours to which we are privy. We can nonetheless be certain that our Master weighed these particular words with special care, to feed His followers' souls at their Last Supper together.
"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."
~ Deuteronomy 8:3 (NKJV)
When conflict churns and chaos clamors all about us, an oasis of calm waters and comfort food for the soul may be found in the every Word of Jesus.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
~ Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
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Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Feasting on the manna, and drinking from the living well.
ReplyDeleteYes, Denise, our Jesus' words are the sweetest of bread, His Spirit's waters full of life!
DeleteThe Israelites didnt think much of their provision. There was little comfort in it.
ReplyDeleteNeither do I take comfort in what God gives me. It's just stuff, almost expected.
It's when I sit down, reflect and give thanks that I truly take comfort in what he has done
It took a full generation, David, for the Israelites to be weaned from their taste for worldly food. I wish we could rid ourselves of such inclinations within a generation's time. But of course, we don't have forty years in the desert. Better that we keep struggling against the world because we are engaged with it.
DeleteThank you for a thoughtful meditation. The contrast between Jesus offering them peace and knowing the cup he will drink is one I will continue to meditate on. (Mark 10:38)
ReplyDeleteSandra, I don't know if we could ever discover all the ways Jesus offered us peace amid His own sufferings. He is amazing as our God, and He is amazing as a very real and human Man.
DeleteHe brings us to this space where we find out He is all we have left. Then, thankfully, we find that He is all we need. And, oh my, by His Grace, He allows us to discover He is all we will ever want. So thankful for Him. Thankful too, ALB, for the edification and reminders that come through your ministry of the Word.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Makala! And thank you for your encouraging words. : )
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