“Trust in the LORD and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.” PS 37:3
David wrote that we are to feed on His faithfulness. What brilliance! When you consider how easy it is for us to feed on anything else—painful memories, negative things, yet-answered prayers (notice I did not say unanswered…), these words are a timeless and powerful reminder that the person who acknowledges that our God never fails will be rewarded. He is building his house in the land of promise; not pitching a tent among the naysayers of doubt.
I have had the privilege of traveling to many nations around the world. I have experienced many cultures, and have had the joy at sitting at their tables. While not every people among whom I have stayed place the same value on food, it is also true that they like their food, and are proud when they are able to offer guests some of their best-liked dishes. In some places I have been, the most important things which are to be discussed are only and ever discussed around a meal. In others, food was so paramount to people’s daily lives that it would not be wrong to say that they had become downright idolatrous towards this quintessential feature of their identity.
If I describe in detail your favorite meal, taking in the aromas as the smoke arises into your nostrils, and the very sight of that thick, juicy steak, or ocean-fresh lobster, does it make you want to eat? Your stomach may be talking to you even now. I believe it universally and immutably true: everyone likes good food!
If we are careful and passionate about what we eat, then are we as careful and passionate about what our mind and our spirits are chewing upon?
David said to “Trust in the Lord…and feed on His faithfulness.” I remember singing the old hymn “Trust and Obey” from the time I was young at my grandparents house. Grammy would play the piano; and my Grandpa was an “old-time fiddler”. My imagination takes me back to the place when my eyes were level with my grandma’s fingers “ticklin’ the keys” as we sang, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” How true! “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus”! But how do we get there? Singing these old songs sure didn’t hurt. They were full of the promises of God. But let’s take this a step deeper, and really consider what David is saying.
The person who learns how to meditate on God’s wonderful acts; who has memorized scriptures which chronicle His deliverances, His healings, His practical instructions; yes, the testimonies of how God has always and forever, only to eternity, been true to His word and capable of meeting every demand for which He had committed Himself for every person who has ever belonged to Him. Oo, that was a mouthful. Yes, when I fully consider this, and then choose to pass the tales of His interventions and times of sweet guidance on with my lips, my pen, and my instruments, I am beginning to build a house in which I can “dwell in the land”. You know…live there. Where? God’s land, the one which flows with provision, comfort, and protection. Your Canaan. My Canaan.
I wish it was so easy. I may eat healthy for my body, and yet be a junk-food junkie in my mind. I may watch my diet so as to not to gain weight, and then stuff my brain with my past failures and defeats, or offenses and wounds I have received. Every day, throughout the day, I can choose to reflect upon His promises; or I can get stuck in those ruts of guilt and resentment because I forgot to begin my day with the song “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning…”
God help me, no matter where I am, whether a summer eve or a winter storm season in my life, to set my table in gratitude, to make my shopping list from Psalms, and place all those healthy yummies in the carts of the grace and forgiveness. I am determined to eat right. I am going to feed on the faithfulness of God.