Food for the Soul

Jesus told the Roman Governor, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” [1] John 18:37

The truth is good whereas lies are not. God’s Word is truth.

One truth vital truth to know is that God is God and we are not.

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” [2]

The Lord cares for His followers as a good shepherd cares for His sheep. He leads us into green pastures. Green pastures, spiritually speaking, are full of helpful truths, whereas weed patches are full of harmful lies.

The Good Shepherd turns the homes of His sheep into spiritually healthy environments.

“I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure. My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” [3]

The Good Shepherd makes our home a holy place where we enjoy fellowship with God. He steers us clear from wicked images. Helps us avoid perversity and slander. For example, He helped me to discern that some news proclaimers speak slander fluently, and to avoid them. He helps me to detect and turn from human arrogance. He provides for me faithful servants like Christian movies, travel and nature videos, good preachers and good worship musicians and singers. When I fail to make the healthy choices, He accepts my repentance and renews in me an appetite for what is best for my soul.

One day soon, this current world’s behavior towards God will change. In that day, “The nations shall fear the Name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory.” [4]

There is hatred in the world, but the Lord is able and willing to deliver us from people who hate.

“He saved them from the hand of him who hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” [5]

The Good Shepherd reminds us to continue to praise Him when all is well. The Bible tells us that Israel, “Soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul.” [6]

The Lord helps me to discern the difference between food that feeds my flesh and food that feeds my soul. I have enjoyed delicious food at times, but during these seasons also experienced leanness of soul. The more I fill-up on God’s Word, the more I pray, the less I desire harmful food.

“He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” [7]

“He sent His Word, healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” [8]

Meditating on the Word day and night does transform our lives and make them richer.

“Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” [9]

We should not shun our Good Shepherd’s guidance but cherish it. He offers us guidance because He loves us and wants to keep our soul well fed and safe from destruction. Below are some final words from the book of wisdom – Proverbs.

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination. Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will inherit good.” [10]

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” [11]

“He, who is of a proud heart, stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” [12]

[1] John 18:37
[2] Psalm 100:2-3
[3] Psalm 101:2-7
[4] Psalm 102:15
[5] Psalm 106:10
[6] Psalm 106:13-15
[7] Psalm 107:9
[8] Psalm 107:20
[9] Psalm 108:13
[10] Proverbs 28:9-10
[11] Proverbs 28:13-14
[12] Proverbs 28:25