For our family, vacations are treasured getaways from the demands of regular life. We enjoy visiting a variety of places, but one particular theme park has been a staple. Not wanting to exhaust our children when they were little, we limited our visits to one-day passes. We recently embarked, however, on the coveted multi-day experience. After 5 days of park visits, events, and shows, we needed a vacation after our vacation. (My husband and I were the ones who were exhausted.)
Sometimes we think that just a little immoral behavior won’t exhaust our spiritual resources—won’t wipe us out. Falling into the devil’s trap, we reason that if we indulge just a little, the craving will go away. For a moment it works, but our satisfaction is short-lived.
To give in to human desires is to put our hope for satisfaction in something other than God (2 Peter 1:4). The Israelites’ demand for meat wasn’t so much about their diet—it was all about their hearts (Exodus 16:2-3). They doubted that God would provide for them in a way that equaled their life in Egypt (Psalm 78:18-22).
Rejecting anything pleasurable is not the answer to curbing the desires of our flesh (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Instead, the Word teaches us to fill ourselves with the Creator rather than the created (2 Peter 1:3). Putting Him first provides our escape from the bondages of this world (v.4).
Peter writes, “Make every effort to respond to God’s promises” (v.5). Facing off against our desires requires action. We have to choose to see the deception behind our cravings and hold to the truth that God alone can satisfy us (Psalm 81:10). When we believe that He will empower us, self-control and godliness become real.
More:
• Romans 6:12
• Romans 13:14
• Galatians 5:24
Next:
When have you experienced the consequences of giving in to your desires? What is a craving you’re dealing with in your life right now? What truth from God’s Word can help you deal with it?
mprez2006 on February 7, 2010 at 1:17 am
this was such an on-time message!!!! really needed to hear this!! thank you, Lord!!
regina franklin on February 7, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I’m thankful! God is very good, and I continue to be amazed at the way He works in our lives. Blessings!
A Call Too Committment on February 7, 2010 at 6:13 am
A great and very timely message.
regina franklin on February 7, 2010 at 7:04 pm
May you continue to see His hand at work in your life and in the circumstances around you.
jasmith17 on February 7, 2010 at 6:46 am
This message was right on time. As I read the message, all I could really focus on was my cravings for food. This is a battle that has been ongoing for years. Thank God that I am somewhat active enough that I don’t fit into the super or morbidly obese area. I walk enough at work to keep it off and stay healthy. But the stronghold of food is something that should be taken seriously. It is a craving of unsatisfaction in the root of my life that desires the taste of food. I have a wonderful family, but food is always a problem. It’s an attachment that needs to be unattached. This devotional was a great start and eye opener to get this craving settled through God and His word so I can live a very healthy and happy life with my family.
regina franklin on February 7, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I love what you wrote–“It is a craving of unsatisfaction in the root of my life that desires the taste of food.” Recently, the Lord dealt with me that I was eating out of anger. Since I didn’t always feel angry when I was eating for comfort, I didn’t see the connection–thank the Lord for the revelation of the Holy Spirit!
I am a fellow-traveler with you. May the Lord give us both His wisdom in this area and a greater understanding of our lives as His temples.
May we eat with thanksgiving as we enjoy God’s provision, but may the joy of His presence be far greater.
bethanyF on February 7, 2010 at 9:53 am
I’ve been struggling repeatedly with finding balance in my life . I have anxiety disorder and sometimes it gets the best of me. The Lord tells us to trust in him and sometimes when I trust I feel like giving up like the Israelites, because I am not feeling so hot certain days. I am scared sometimes so bad and I need to rely on God and read his word to shake it off. Lately God has been showing me that balance can help me a great deal. He has the perfect balance and I know I need to lean on him for that and ask him. I really appreciate this devotional today because it is something that I really need to apply to my life. I am working on different ways of thinking about things so that I do not continuously find myself indulging myself into. My counselor and I talk about thinking about things differently than always the same old negative thinking. I pray that God will give me strength to see his beauty and faithfulness to me that he provides all around me. I started a journal and I am writing down different strategies to overcome my bad habits (negative thinking). My favorite part of keeping the journal, is when I integrate the Lord’s scripture into it. I pray that he will lead me to learn things that I need to learn through even this journal. This devotional really showed me today, that even the Israelites had a negative thinking problem. They did not see God’s good grace. I pray that God will continue to use this devotional to help me throughout the day and throughout the years to come.
regina franklin on February 7, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Dear Bethany,
How awesome is His love for you! May His peace rest upon you as you continue to live by faith that He is not only trustworthy but that He is also working in circumstances that are not what we expected.
His Word is powerful to heal broken places in our lives and destroy the chains of the enemy. Perhaps Mary found the greatest key to the power of the Word when she chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, in communion with the One who is the Word.
Praying for you today.
learning2serv on February 8, 2010 at 9:37 am
BethanyF, first I want to share with you that I’m praying with you. I’m smiling wistfully as I think of 15 years of Christian living and the Lord inspired me to start journalling.
Somehow I managed to hold on to the entries of the first few years (after 8 moves {military} remarkable!), and I read them a short time ago. In them, I see things that I’ve gained the victory over, and I also see things I have yet to conquer (but I’m winning the war!!!).
Your sharing with us here gives me boldness and strength as well; encouraging me, causing me to remember both where I came from and to not take lightly what God has done to place me where I am. And your writings often cause me to remember that I am still chockful of shortcomings.
But I am shedding tears of praise right now for God’s faithfulness, for THAT is what your journal will show you. Your words speak faithfully in your hope of God as your deliverer. And for that, He has, shall, and will continue to deliver you. He LOVES to place His testimony in faithfulness in those who will receive His lovingkindness and tender mercies.
I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard. My praise shall be of You in the great assembly… (Psa 22:22-25)
Thank you for your inspiration! -L2s
Gary4orphans on February 7, 2010 at 11:45 am
I think part of Regina’s last paragraph holds an important key; she wrote:
“Peter writes, “Make every effort to respond to God’s promises” (v.5). Facing off against our desires requires action”
Many of the Bible’s promises are unconditional and requre no “action” on our part and we can all enjoy those blessings. Many of the promises ARE “conditional” on us doing “something.” The promises we should make every effort to respond to in other words that will help us “face off against our desires.”
The “category” of promises we can take action on that I address here are the many promises where our part is to give to others of our time, energy, talent and dare I say our money. But let’s focus on the giving our our time, energy and talent. As we seek the Lord’s guidance on WHAT He would have us do to serve Him we enter into an action phase. Not all of us are called to preach before thousands but maybe we can change diapers in the children’s ministry or be an usher or prepare a meal for an elderly shut in. Whatever it may be. That we are to serve is not an “if” question but a “how” question. As we step up and serve we are taking “action” to embrace the Lord’s promises to us. We cannot out give God is true of our finances but it is also true of our time, energy and talent.
As we step out in His service we take the focus off of ourselves, our cravings, our desires, our demands and refocus onto those things that are outside of ourselves and will bless and serve others. That will give us good balance and keep us from thinking too much about “us.”
regina franklin on February 7, 2010 at 7:15 pm
YES! Servanthood brings about the denial of self and the building up of the spirit man.
Well said!
riri on February 8, 2010 at 8:12 am
Yes, I must agree this message was right on time for me, even though I am reading 1 day late. I am struggling with some “cravings” right now. Pray for a sistah!