“I am the LORD your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide,
and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10).
When I think of this invitation to “open your mouth wide,” I picture a young bird eagerly responding to its mother’s feeding in the nest. That imagery was impressed upon me again, since we have a bird’s nest right next to our office’s front door. About a week ago two chicks hatched in this nest. I took this photo of them anxiously awaiting their next meal!
When I think of this analogy to the spiritual life, I see the importance of us abiding in God’s “nest,” feeding on God’s life-giving Word. “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'” (Matt. 4:4).
In the beginning, God created our first human parents with ultimate needs that are unique to mankind–those made in the image of God (Gen. 1:28). These include the need for love, acceptance, significance, security, and belonging. In the Garden, Adam and Eve initially had complete fulfillment as they enjoyed full fellowship with God and each other. Alas, after the Fall, everyone has been on a quest to get these ultimate needs fulfilled. Most people try to get these needs met through relationships, but end up disappointed by mild or severe rejection.[2] Thankfully, God has made provision for healing and abundant life through Christ’s redemption and indwelling presence (Eph. 1:3,6; 2:4-10).
Like a young bird, we should “open our mouth wide” to feed upon God’s love and grace.
The little chicks open their mouth eagerly. As the psalmist said, “I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments” (Psalm 119:131).
They open their beaks persistently. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31,32).
Our God yearns for us to receive His provision for salvation and abundant living. The Lord Jesus was grieved over Israel’s stubborn unbelief when He cried out,
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matt. 23:37).
God is the Creator of the birds and their instincts, and–as our Heavenly Father–He is always faithful to meet the spiritual needs of His children. The prophet Isaiah anticipated the discouragement of the Israelite exiles in Babylon:
“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me.’ [and the LORD replied], ‘Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me'” (Isaiah 49:14-16).
As a little bird looks dependently to its parent, so we must stay focused upon our God. As Oswald Chambers wrote, “The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God … The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God … Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in Him.” [1]
Our gracious Savior longs to bless us fully, if we remain yielded and confident in Him.
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways! …
He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;
And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you” (Ps 81:13,16).
Is your heart fully open to Him today?
Lord, we “open our mouths wide” to Your generous daily provision of grace. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Keep our focus continually on You as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. In Christ’s name, amen.
[1] Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 1/23).
[2] Charles Solomon, The Ins and Out of Rejection (Sevierville TN: Solomon Publications, 1991).
Copyright John B. Woodward. 1998, revised 2012. Permission is granted to reprint this article for non-commercial use. Scripture quotations are from The New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson.