“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9

A Full Plate

I was sitting in a group of believers one day, and a leader said to us, “Let’s wait on the Lord. Ask Him to speak a word to you.” At that moment, I had two choices. I could say, “Lord, speak,” and then allow my mind to wander to everything else, excusing myself from this time of focused attention by thinking that I never hear Him, or He’ll speak to someone else instead of me, or I’m too busy to sit still with this, or this just isn’t my thing.

Or, I could actually take it seriously. I could sit and gaze upon Him and expect Him to speak. I could quiet myself and pray through the distractions. I could earnestly seek His voice. I could remind myself that He WANTS to speak to me, wants to give direction for the day, wants to love on me, wants to remind me of what His Word has already said to me.

I chose the latter, and He did speak a word that I allowed into my mind, and it filled me to overflowing.

When we read these daily devotionals, there is always a word from the Lord—a nugget, a morsel to feed upon. You can find at least one every day. You can go your way and pay it no attention, or not even look for it in the first place. Or, of course, you can take it in, talk to God about it, and let it nourish you as intended.

The same is true of Bible studies, teachings from the pulpit, your own time spent reading the Word, and conversations among believers. There is always a morsel, always at least a little provision to take in.

Sometimes, there is more nourishment to digest. This is when you may get out your highlighter and use it over and over in a book, or when you desperately try to write notes during a teaching so you won’t forget. This is a plate with different foods to taste. “Oh, that looks good! And how about this, too!” This will leave you thinking and may lead to greater insights if you will spend time with those things before the Lord and let Him lead Your thoughts.

And then there are times when every spoken or written word holds meaning for you. You give up on note-taking and highlighting—there is too much to write, and you just tune in to the words and let them fill you. This is the full plate—and only the hungry will partake of a full plate. “… Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10b).

Yes, let’s be thankful for the morsels, and partake; when a plate with choices is offered, taste them all; but when a full plate is passed to you, eat it up, and be filled.

“Father, You are the Giver of all good things. We partake of all the spiritual nourishment You offer us. Strengthen us by it. Amen.”