Soul Food

Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

I’m not exactly sure where the term, ‘soul food’ came from, but I do understand the association being made about the type of food we are talking about when we talk about it.

I first heard the term back in the ‘60’s, and it may have been associated with the civil-rights movement. It probably goes back even further than that, but I’m not sure. What I am sure of is ‘soul food’ refers to the good stuff, the real deal, the genuine article that feeds the body in a way that touches the soul as well - and thus the name.

‘Soul food,’ at least as far as the world is concerned, really has to do with making the best out of what could be a bad situation. It is producing nutrient-rich and delicious food at a very low cost – and maybe even free - since many of the ingredients are home-grown, (such as collard greens, black-eyed peas, and the like,) or low-cost cuts of meats prepared in a way to make them wonderfully succulent and appetizing.

I wonder why the world has for so long failed to see the Word of God in the same way it sees and values the soul food consumed as literal food. While physical ‘soul food’ is often sought out and admired, the Spiritual ‘soul food’ available to us freely is often avoided like the plague.

The truth is Spiritual soul food far exceeds the capability of physical soul food when it comes to providing the nutrients we so desperately require. Just as there is a linkage from the body to the soul through the consumption of this ethnically-inspired physical food, there is also a linkage to the soul provided by the entry of the Word of God through the Spirit. While the food we eat is corrupt, (no matter how good it is,) the Spiritual food we consume is eternal, and has everlasting value. The Word of God remains forever, even though earth and heaven are passing away.

And, just like physical ‘soul food,’ Spiritual soul food costs us little beyond the effort it takes to consume it. David is encouraging his own soul to feed itself by “blessing the Lord,” with all that is within himself, with everything he has to give. What an encouragement it is for me to do likewise.

Praising God is nutrient-rich in eternal value for the soul.

-  Pastor Bill