To me, this verse is a good picture of how Jesus desires us to be nourished while also showing a contrast of what the enemy desires for us and executes against us. Jesus did not do all He did for us to just survive but rather to thrive. Therefore, we can know that being in survival mode is the work of the enemy and not from Jesus. When I read this verse, I can’t help but long for that abundant, overflowing life. At times, I, for one, am guilty of focusing on the outer life, even though I have experienced enough of God to know that real life–abundant life from God–is in the inner man: where joy, peace and righteousness are given through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, help me to pursue abundant life for the inner man.
