April 20

God's Grace

Hunger in the Light

“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night
or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be
alert and self-controlled.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5–6 (NIV)

I am always amazed by what I learn from the ladies I teach on this great
continent of Africa. I am convinced that they teach me more than I
could ever teach them.

I had been struggling with overeating. I was teaching from 1 Thessalonians
5:1–11, and God showed me through some Ugandan women
that I was not taking my problem totally to Him. As these spiritually
growing women and I read the Scripture together, the Spirit encouraged
me to ask the ladies how Jesus keeps them alert and how He assists
them in staying in the Light. A very thin, malnourished woman who
had joy written all over her face said, “When I am hungry, I go to the
Lord and ask Him to take the hunger away and He does. He takes the
hunger away. Jesus can fill the void of hunger.”

You did notice that the lady did not ask for food, didn’t you? She
asked God to take the hunger away. This lady’s faith spurred the other
ladies, but oh, was I ever convicted! How long has it been since I felt
hunger? I’m talking about that real gut-wrenching physical hunger. Do
I dare go to the Lord for such a thing as hunger? Yes, I should go to the
Lord about anything, even my problem of overeating.
Let us stay alert in our Lord moment by moment, seeking Him in
all things. He cares for all our needs.

—Sandy, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa

Father, I bring to You my need of . Help me to be
free from this bondage. In the name of Jesus, do a work in my life in this area. I
pray that You will break strongholds in the lives of missionaries today. Amen.

Next day