Eating Spinach

Popeye, a character created by cartoonist E.C. Segar in 1929, was always getting beaten up by a brute called Bluto. But spinach always saved the day. When Popeye ate spinach, he became super strong and one punch from his extended humungous muscular arm would take care of his enemy. The devil is somewhat like Bluto in that he wants to make us believe that he has the right to beat us up and that we must lie there and take it. He wants us to think that we can’t do anything about it. We are not to submit to Satan, but rather to God, whose Holy Spirit lives in us. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (ESV).”

Like Popeye, we need healthy food such as spinach to make us strong. Even more importantly, we desperately need spiritual food to make us mighty warriors. Jeremiah 15:16 says, “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” (NLT) Too often we try to live life with a mouthful of God’s word here and there, a verse or two to get us through the day. Therefore, we are severely undernourished and not ready to fight the good fight.

I often pray with people after our church services. When they ask for prayer, I ask them if they are reading the Word of God. Many times, the answer is no. Why are we asking God to bless us or help us with our problems when we are ignoring the command in the Bible to meditate on it?

Unfortunately, I am also sometimes guilty of “running on empty” spiritually. The Holy Spirit wants to help me to be strong for the fight, but to do that, I must commune with him in his word. Let’s pray for each other to obey God.

Dear Lord God, please forgive us for not taking in the spiritual food you give us to make us strong. Help us to make time with you in your Word a top priority.

Throughout this day: Take time to digest a chunk of the Bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you something new before you read. Write out a verse that speaks to you. Carry it around and repeat it aloud several times a day.