INTRODUCTION

Man’s appetite can serve as a powerful motivator. Yet, there are times when the body is so troubled because of difficulties that it will either forget its desire to eat or lose its desire to eat altogether. The psalmist said that his heart was smitten to the point that he forgot to eat his bread (Psalm 102:4My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.
See All...). In Psalm 107:18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
See All..., the Bible speaks of men who abhor “all manner of meat” and that “draw near unto the gates of death.” Other Bible characters serve as appropriate examples. Hannah was so distraught by Peninnah’s mocking over her barrenness that she refused to eat (1 Samuel 1:7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
See All...). David refused to eat while pleading with the Lord for the life of his child (2 Samuel 12:16-17 [16] David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. [17] And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
See All...). At other times, illness may cause a severe reduction in appetite.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Saul refused food for a day and a night to seek an answer from God about an impending battle. Because Saul had sinned against the Lord, God would not give him the answer he sought. Samuel told Saul of God’s judgment and the terrible news took away Saul’s appetite. Others had to compel or forcefully urge Saul to eat (1 Samuel 28:18-23 [18] Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. [19] Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. [20] Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. [21] And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me. [22] Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way. [23] But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Do you ever remember a time when you lost your appetite? What caused you to lose your appetite? What became the sole focus of your attention?
• When are you most susceptible to your appetite taking control? How can getting busy for the Lord help to withstand your desire to overindulge on food?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you strength even when your appetite is gone.
• Thank the Lord for His faithfulness.

HYMN

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU

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