Morning Devotional

February 1, 2004

"Chocolate Treats" 

by Don Emmitte

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Let them all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! He has made his people strong, honoring his godly ones, the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 148:13-14 NLT).

I always receive some unusual gifts at Christmas. However, this year David gave me something I could never have dreamed of getting. Since I am very hard to buy something for, he decided that he would give me something that I truly like, but would never buy. I love chocolate, but since I don’t do well at all with sugar (I am hypoglycemic), I would never go and buy a two pound box of Godiva chocolates! He did and gave it to me for Christmas. What a great surprise! I was only allowed to keep it if I promised to eat just one a day. So far I have kept the promise. I do so look forward to that one piece a day!

Have you ever had a hunger for a certain food? You know, on those days you just have to have a sweet, such as a donut or chocolate sundae. What about the times you crave a salty or crunchy food item, such as potato chips or peanuts? The same thing is true with our physical bodies. Sometimes, our body just seems to crave to be held, scratched or loved. These are all very normal physical needs, but did you know that because God created us as spiritual beings with a deeper purpose, we have very real spiritual cravings as well?

That's right. The sad part is that lots of people feel these spiritual hunger pangs and aren't sure what to do about it. They try to load the spiritual calling with fillers that offer temporary good feelings, but the reality is, they only offer "empty calories," and their flavor leaves a bitter aftertaste.

How many people do you know that try to fill this void with sex, drugs, alcohol, and keeping their life so full of activity they don't have time to think about meaty spiritual substance? Are these people happy as they outwardly appear, or when they are alone and in the privacy of their own home, are their hearts inwardly filled with despair?

There IS a food that is sweet to the taste, and truly fulfilling and satisfying, and this substance is the bread of life that only God can offer through His living word. What is His living word? It is the truth that lives within Him, and anyone who believes in Him, and is reflected in how we live our daily life. Will the actions we carry out in our life reflect godliness, or will our day-to-day actions and thoughts be tainted with sin? Just as you listen to your body when it has an itch, and you offer it a nice scratch, won't you listen to your hungry spirit as it calls out for God? Have a REAL chocolate treat!