Hunger Satisfied

A detailed text of two distinct natures found residing in us, is provided for us in  the book of Romans, chapters 7 and 8. Our old, fleshly (carnal) nature, which we have inherited from our parents, and a new spiritual nature, one we have received in the likeness of Christ.  Both, hunger satisfaction. 

The fleshly/carnal nature always seeks to satisfy itself through the appetites (lusts).   While our Christ-like nature, only seeks satisfaction with the things of God.  Fleshly things cannot satisfy our Christ-like nature.   A remarkable illustration of this is found in the book of Genesis.

If you’re even the least bit familiar with the Bible, you know of the righteous man, Noah, who built an ark.  The floods came, and destroyed all land-living creatures.  Then the rains and the floods ceased and the waters began to come down.  Noah sent out two types of birds to investigate…

Genesis 8:6 

…And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark…
 
And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. (vs.7)
 
 Also he sent forth a dove from him… (vs.8)
 
But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark…(vs. 9)
 
…and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark… (vs. 10)
 
 …the dove came in to him in the evening; and… in her mouth was an olive leaf…(vs. 11)
 
… And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more. (vs. 12)

The raven in this story represents our old carnal nature.  It will feast on things that have no life in them.  Notice verse 7 states that the raven went back and forth, from one end to the other, until the waters were dried up.  Imagine for a second, the number of carcasses and corpses everywhere, it was having the time of its life.  Likewise, our carnal nature hungers and craves after possessions, status, pleasures, etc.  AND its never enough. Notice, there is no indication that the raven returned to the arc.

The dove on the other hand, represents our new nature, which is Christ-like.  It will only feast on substance that has life in it.  Just prior in chapter 7 there is a text that claims the floods destroyed everything that had life in it: 

All in whose nostrils was the breath of life…died. (vs.22)

The dove was unable to find rest even for the sole of her foot.  So, it is with our spirit.  When hungry, it will not find comfort or satisfaction from anything materialistic in nature.  

I’d like to make note here, in Deuteronomy 28, Moses gives the children of Israel, a list of blessings and curses.  The blessings for obeying, and the curses for disobedience.  In the list of curses is found:

shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: (vs 65 KJV)
 

Our spirit is distressed, until it finds rest and satisfaction on life giving substance. 

Notice The second time around the dove found a living olive branch. And finally on the third time, there was enough substance for the dove to the point where it no longer returned to the arc.  

It is a sad thing when an individual’s spirit is in distress (depressed) and he/she seeks satisfaction materialistically.  They may become compulsive eaters for instance, struggling with obesity, or excessive drinkers, compulsive buyers, etc.  They have a spiritual hunger, which they attempt to fill with carnal substance.  

The psalmist in Psalm 107, recollects a period in Israel’s life when they were distressed in the wilderness. 

…wandered…solitary way…. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them….bound in affliction…they fell down and there was none to help them….they draw near to the gates of death…

…they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses….For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul…He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands…He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them….

Notice: He sent his word.  A living word from God is what satisfies a hungry spirit.  

Supporting text
 

Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? (Is. 55:3)

My sheep hear my voice...(John 10:27)

The people asked,…, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. (Ps. 105:40)

 
You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Ps. 145:16)
 
See also John chapter 4, Jesus, ministering to the Samaritan women of living water that satisfies