Cravings

For our family, vacations are treasured getaways from the demands of regular life. We enjoy visiting a variety of places, but one particular theme park has been a staple. Not wanting to exhaust our children when they were little, we limited our visits to one-day passes. We recently embarked, however, on the coveted multi-day experience. After 5 days of park visits, events, and shows, we needed a vacation after our vacation. (My husband and I were the ones who were exhausted.)

Sometimes we think that just a little immoral behavior won’t exhaust our spiritual resources—won’t wipe us out. Falling into the devil’s trap, we reason that if we indulge just a little, the craving will go away. For a moment it works, but our satisfaction is short-lived.

To give in to human desires is to put our hope for satisfaction in something other than God (2 Peter 1:4). The Israelites’ demand for meat wasn’t so much about their diet—it was all about their hearts (Exodus 16:2-3). They doubted that God would provide for them in a way that equaled their life in Egypt (Psalm 78:18-22).

Rejecting anything pleasurable is not the answer to curbing the desires of our flesh (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Instead, the Word teaches us to fill ourselves with the Creator rather than the created (2 Peter 1:3). Putting Him first provides our escape from the bondages of this world (v.4).

Peter writes, “Make every effort to respond to God’s promises” (v.5). Facing off against our desires requires action. We have to choose to see the deception behind our cravings and hold to the truth that God alone can satisfy us (Psalm 81:10). When we believe that He will empower us, self-control and godliness become real.

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”