Day 130, 8th January: Judges, John and Psalms
You Are What You Eat
Dave Atkinson, Trafford Youth For Christ
Today’s readings
Judges 10:1-11:40
John 6:25-59
Psalm 59:1-8
“You are what you eat!” I cannot count the times I’ve heard my Mum say that, but she’s right!
When you eat something, your body digests it, and pulls what it can from it, getting rid of the rest. Your body is an amazing instrument which is able to do many things. It’s your actions that show what you value in life; buying the latest football strip, following people on Twitter, recording the latest episodes of your favourite programme.
God shows us that just saying “sorry” isn’t always enough in the OT passage. We need to be earnest with our apologies and reflect our words with our actions, like the Israelites did when they discarded their idols for God. We should place God at the top of our lists of who to impress. Jephthah placed God above any other God or King, and even his own family. We could easily place God higher than the Queen (as most haven’t met her). She would be replaced if she died, without having much impact on our lives. It’s much harder to place God above our own flesh and blood, or those we hold dearest.
In the NT passage, Jesus tells us to eat what is good. Sound advice if you ask me. The other night I was really hungry, but couldn’t be bothered preparing food so I bought 20 chicken nuggets and a large fries. They tasted perfect and I struggled to finish them. However, less than an hour later I was ravenous for more. We should focus on what Jesus wants to feed us. When we are given food from God what do we do? We remember the miracle, and who was there, but forget that it was God who did it. We place the glory on the performer at the front. Jesus reminds us that the Israelites focussed on Moses providing the manna for them, rather than giving God the glory. Even Jesus says that he’s not at the top in v38, and points to God being the ultimate power in the world.
The Psalm passage demonstrates how reliant we should be on God. Even when the world seems to be against us, we can call on God and share our problems and hopes with him.
Who do you call on for help?
Who do you thank when something miraculous happens?
Who do you place at the top?
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Today’s picture was taken by…
Luke Brennan-Scott. Thanks Luke!
If you’d like to take your own picture to potentially be featured on the blog, then get your Soul Survivor Bible in One Year, and take a picture of yourself – and your Bible – at some interesting or colourful location. Then email it to us at editor@soulsurvivor.com.
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