Our necessary food

As I was walking to Settle this morning I noticed someone else a little way in front of me. At first I could only see a head over the walls of an intervening bend, but then I realised who it was. The clue? The rooks and jackdaws gathering noisily in the trees, for it was someone who frequently scatters bread for the birds on his way to town. I’m sure they watch out for him!

A little further, and it was the sheep in the field which caught my attention, all running eagerly in the same direction to meet the farmer in his pickup, anticipating food.

How eager, I wonder, am I as I open my Bible? Am I earnestly looking for food, and – best of all – looking to meet my Saviour there?

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12

Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace

Our path when wont to stray;

Stream from the fount of heavenly grace,

Brook by the traveller’s way.

Bread of our souls, whereon we feed;

True manna from on high;

Our guide and chart, wherein we read

Of realms beyond the sky.

Pillar of fire, through watches dark,

And radiant cloud by day;

When waves would whelm our tossing bark,

Our anchor and our stay;

Word of the ever-living God,

Will of His glorious Son, -

Without thee how could earth be trod,

Or heaven itself be won?

Lord, grant us all aright to learn

The wisdom it imparts,

And to its heavenly teaching turn

With simple, childlike hearts.

-Bernard Barton