1 Kings 19:8

All the strength supplied to us by our gracious God is meant for service, not for self-indulgence or boasting. When the prophet Elijah found the cake baked on the coals, and the jar of water placed at his head, as he lay under the juniper tree, he was no gentleman to be gratified with fine food so that he might relax comfortably; instead, he was commissioned to go forty days and forty nights on its strength, journeying towards Horeb, the mount of God.

When the Master invited the disciples to Come and dine with him, after the feast was concluded he said to Peter, Feed my sheep; further adding, Follow me. So it is with us; we eat the bread of heaven, so that we may use our strength in the Master’s service.

We come to the Passover, and eat of the paschal lamb with waists girded, and staff in hand, ready to leave immediately when we have satisfied our hunger. Some Christians are for living on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Earth should be a preparation for heaven; and heaven is the place where saints feast most and work most.

They sit down at the table of our Lord, and they serve him day and night in his temple. They eat of heavenly food and offer perfect service. Believer, in the strength you daily gain from Christ, work for him. Some of us still have much to learn about our Lord’s purpose in giving us his grace.

We are not to retain the precious grains of truth as the Egyptian mummy held the wheat for ages, without giving it an opportunity to grow: we must sow it and water it. Why does the Lord send down the rain upon the thirsty earth, and give the warm sunshine? Is it not so that these may all help the fruits of the earth to yield food for humanity? In the same way, the Lord feeds and refreshes our souls so that we may then use our renewed strength to promote his glory.