The "H" in H.A.L.T.: (spiritual) Hunger

My Favorite Food

Something you might not know about me is the fact that bread is absolutely my favorite food.

There’s just something about the strong smell of alcohol and yeast when it is toasting in the oven.

The soft crackle of its buttery crust.

The steaming warmth as butter melts on a freshly cut piece.

The mouth-watering flavor as it dissolves in my mouth.

Is it just me or are you hungry now too? ;)

Sinning in Our...Hunger?

It’s true, being physically hungry does affect my attitude toward others. I find that I’m often impatient, quick to anger, and slow to forgive and never eager to listen to others when I’m hungry.

No, I’m not blaming my sins on hunger. I’m just saying, it’s easier to give a soft answer when my belly’s full. :D

As I have been dwelling on it for quite some time many stories have come to my mind about sinning in hunger.

The first story that came to mind was of Esau:

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Genesis 25:29-32

As we all know Esau truly regretted selling his birthright and blamed Jacob for causing him to sin.

Surprisingly, I had to think a bit before the story of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit came to mind.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6

Paul also speaks of sinning in hunger in 1^st Corinthians 11:33-34.

So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another-- if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home--so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

Hunger for God and His Spiritual Nourishment

Have you ever been spiritually starved?

Famished for the word of God?

When I was first applying H.A.L.T. to my life I was using it in a physical sense. But I soon realized that it is also very important to apply it in a spiritual sense. For in the end my flesh will pass awaybut my soul will remain throughout eternity.

As Jesus said:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Without Him, we are a skeleton in the dark, incapable of bringing glory to His name.

It is truly important to recognize the life in God’s Word and His presence.

Closing Thoughts

Truly sinning in our hunger is a serious thing if God has mentioned it so many times in his Word.

And not only in times of physical hunger but when we are famished for his holy presence and the bread of life.

Solving spiritual hunger comes only in time by dwelling in His Word, by death to self, and life to Him in our lives.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

We are being daily fashioned in His likeness—He has set us on the path to pure holiness. Yet not until we are in His eternal kingdom will the dross be burned and the gold of His refinement stand in His house to worship Him.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:1-5

What a hope of glory in His eternal love!