“I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12 KJV).
I love good food—flavorful, full of color, sweet, and savory. I like fruits and vegetables, cookies, cakes, pies, beef, chicken, pork, vegetarian, or vegan. My favorite food combinations come out from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. During that time, I get to eat turkey, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, pound cake, and cookies of all kinds. I enjoy all the leftovers that I can. Sometimes, I try to eat in moderation. Sometimes, I don’t. Then there’s a point when the leftovers begin to spoil, and I must throw them out. I’m sad when I can finish them all.
The time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is also a time to finish year-end projects and to begin to reflect on what I have accomplished. Have I lost the weight that I wanted? What do I need to do differently? What are my next year’s goals? I also reflect on how I have grown in Jesus Christ. I ask myself, “Is there something that I love more than Jesus? Do I love television more than Jesus? Do I love food more than Jesus? Do I love me more than I love Jesus?
If I answer yes to these questions, I ask myself why television is more important than Jesus? Am I consuming too much food? Am I not spending enough time with Jesus? How do I get back to a place where Jesus is most important? If I answer no to these questions, I ask myself, why do I love Jesus more? God’s paths lead to life for me. I find comfort in his path. I find joy, peace, and hope with Jesus. Like Job, I declare that “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than food"(KJV).
God is more important than my necessary food (or my daily food). I can eat all His food without feeling fat or gaining weight. I can choose Jesus without feeling guilty. His speech is always sufficient, it never spoils, ages, or needs to be thrown away.
Lord Jesus, I pray that I would put you first above all my wants and needs. I pray that like food, I would crave you each day. In doing this I will seek to read Your word, pray, and seek Your will more than mine. Amen.
Your Turn: What would you give up for Jesus? Is Jesus your necessary food?