Refill Devotional, Week 2 Day 2: “Food That Truly Satisfies”

Food That Truly Satisfies

Matthew 4:2-4; John 4:31-34

I lived in Las Vegas for a few years so I understand what it is like to be in the desert. But 40 days while fasting – NO, I have never had that desert experience. I imagine excruciatingly dry skin an utterly empty stomach and lacking energy to lift a finger much less stand up and walk. In this seemingly empty state the devil appears to Jesus. He tempts Jesus to turn a rock into bread. He tempts him to satisfy his natural desire for food. Jesus saw this was more than just about his hunger; it wasn’t simply about food. He was being tempted to give in to natural desires.

There was a time in my life when I felt so empty. Nothing could satisfy – not my family, money, the parties, the drugs, the alcohol. I gave in to natural desires, tried everything I thought would make me happy, only to be left feeling more depleted than ever. I was missing the only One that could satisfy. I did not know the Lord and had never read his Word.

With each temptation to give in to natural desires, Jesus responds with “it is written.” He responds by filling himself with the Word, by speaking the Word, by living according to the Word. Today, turn to Christ like I did, fill yourself with the Word, choose to do the will of the Father and you will find that it will satisfy the hunger deep within. You will then find yourself saying to others “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”

Identify with Jesus

• Think about a time in your life when you felt empty.

• During that time what did you do to fill the emptiness?

Katie Brinkman