Recently a friend and I were talking through a passage in Acts 27 when my mind went flying in

an odd direction. The passage addresses Paul’s stormy and perilous journey sailing toward

Rome to be tried by Roman authorities. Paul urged his shipmates to eat something (they hadn’t

eaten in two weeks!) and assured them they would eventually arrive safely at their destination.

Scripture tells us they were encouraged by his words, and then…. When they had eaten

enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea (Acts 27:38).

And then… I got totally distracted by the phrase, “When they had eaten enough…”

As the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons come to an end, I think you would agree that most

of us have eaten more than enough! But how did those men on the ship know when they’d had

enough? After 14 days without food, eating a feast would have no doubt made them sick. They

obviously listened to their bodies and recognized when they had eaten enough.

In our culture, the holiday tables are overflowing with a variety of deliciousness – and we often

eat so fast we don’t have a clue when we’ve had enough. We don’t even enjoy what we’re

eating – neglecting to savor the flavors – because we’re downing it so fast – or looking forward

to dessert!

And then… I started to think about our consumption of God’s Word. Have you eaten enough of

His Truth? The psalmist encourages us to: Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

Like the food on our holiday table (or a Baptist potluck), we have so much from which to choose

in God’s Word – 66 books! What a feast!

But like our speedy eaters, do we zip through our reading of God’s Word so fast that we fail to

savor the precious Truth we hold in our hands? Do we fly through our “Read Through the Bible”

program like it’s a race? Or do we prayerfully enter the Presence of God – opening His Word

and eagerly anticipating that perhaps today He has a special and personal word for us? Do you

enjoy being with Him in His Word? Does just the thought of your time alone with Him put a smile

in your heart – and maybe on your face?

Have you eaten enough of His Word?

By Judy Shrout



Judy is the wife of Tom, the mom of Heather (and Jim), and “Grandmom” to T.J., Piper, Ainsley,

and Maggie. One of her favorite parts about this season of life (retirement) is that she no longer

has to hurry. And if someone tries to hurry her, she lets them go on without her.

Your Daily Missions Moment:

The Lexington Rescue Mission ministers to inmates in the local detention centers. They look for people to help inmates after they have been released to walk through some materials to help them with re-entry. Training is provided and you can be a real help to someone trying to re-enter life after incarceration.

https://lexingtonrescue.org/volunteer/