Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Just a taste

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

Several years ago a South African evangelist visited Champaign-Urbana and spoke at the Vineyard. His parents were from India. His name was Mahesh Chavda. He fasted forty days a couple of times a year, and he shared some of his experiences.

One story sticks with me. Since he was single and lived alone, Mahesh usually emptied his apartment of food during a fast. But once he left a bag of potato chips in the pantry. After several days without food he began to hear the potato chips talking to him. "We are crunchy, we are salty, we are ready to eat." They even talked with an Indian accent.

Instead of throwing them away, Mahesh gave in to the voice and ate the whole bag in a few minutes.

And then, in Mahesh's words, he "resumed his fast."

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

... (Finally) Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
-- Matthew 4:10-11

Fasting, like the Sabbath, is made for man, not the other way around. Mahesh knew he did not live by eating or not eating, but by the grace and love of God. Whether or not he ate the chips he could continue his fast, because he was expressing his love for God, not trying to gain favor. God's favor has already been granted.

I often fail to finish what I start, good intentions nothwithstanding.

So?

I think of Mahesh's example, and of Jesus' words, and Satan loses his grip. My "guilt" is flushed away by God's love.

Which never ends, never fails, never fades away.

Remind me every day, Lord, that it is your word that sustains me, your love that redeems me. It is for freedom that you have set me free.

Devotions Archive

Just a taste

Sunday, February 10, 2008