How can Psalm 107:18 guide us in recognizing spiritual hunger in our lives? Psalm 107:18 at a Glance “They loathed all food and came near to the gates of death.” Why the Image Matters • Physical aversion to food is a clear warning sign that the body is shutting down. • God lets this literal picture stand so we can recognize an equally serious condition in the soul—when we lose our appetite for the things of God, we are spiritually starving. Signs You’re Spiritually Hungry • You find Scripture dull or burdensome instead of life-giving (cf. Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:4). • Prayer feels like an obligation rather than a conversation with a Father who delights in you (Psalm 62:8). • Worship songs no longer stir affection for Christ (Psalm 95:1-2). • Sin patterns you once resisted now seem normal (Hebrews 3:13). • Fellowship with believers feels optional, even exhausting (Hebrews 10:24-25). • You pursue constant entertainment yet remain restless (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). Taking Spiritual Hunger Seriously • The verse connects loss of appetite with “the gates of death.” Ignoring spiritual hunger is deadly—first to joy, then to witness, eventually to intimacy with God (Proverbs 14:12). • God uses this warning not to shame but to alert and invite. Earlier in the psalm: “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9). Responding When Hunger Is Exposed 1. Cry out as the psalmists did: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble” (Psalm 107:19). 2. Return to the “bread of life” Himself (John 6:35). Open the Gospels, read a scene of Jesus, and linger. 3. Replace empty calories—media, constant noise—with time in the Word (Isaiah 55:2). 4. Re-engage in corporate worship; shared praise rekindles appetite (Psalm 34:3). 5. Serve someone in need; pouring out often renews a thirst for God (Proverbs 11:25). 6. Keep short accounts with sin—confession clears the palate (1 John 1:9). Scripture That Feeds • Psalm 42:1-2 – Thirst that leads to seeking. • Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” • Revelation 3:20 – The Lord stands ready to dine with any who open the door. • Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” Living the Lesson Physical refusal of food signals danger; spiritual refusal of God’s provision signals a deeper crisis. Let Psalm 107:18 prompt regular heart-checks, quick repentance, and fresh feasting on the only nourishment that brings life. |
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