Appetite supposes life, and is regulated by nature. The carnal appetite is satisfied with carnal things; but a Christian can only be satisfied with spiritual things.
He hungers to enjoy an interest in Christ; for righteousness produced in him by the Spirit and given to him by Jesus; to be conformed to the image of Christ; to know Him extensively, experientially, and practically; to enjoy God as his portion; and that Christ may be magnified in him by life or by death.
✦ The Appetite That Proves the Life
Smith begins with the simplest observation: appetite supposes life. The dead do not hunger. The dead do not thirst. The dead do not wake before dawn craving the Word. The hunger is the proof that the life is real.
And the spiritual appetite — unlike the carnal — cannot be satisfied with a substitute. No amount of the world's offering will quiet it. No achievement, no comfort, no pleasure can fill the space that was made for God. The appetite is fixed on its object. And the object is Christ — known extensively, experientially, practically. Not Christ as an idea. Christ as bread. Christ as water. Christ as the portion the soul feeds on every morning. 🙏
His appetite is fixed on its object; no substitute can be found. It is only as he feeds upon Christ that he enjoys satisfaction.
None but God can produce this hunger, and only God can satisfy it — and He will, for He has said, "They shall be filled."
This is plain, positive, unconditional, and certain. Believe it and be happy.
Smith traces the full circle: God produces the hunger. God promises the filling. The soul's part is not to manufacture the appetite — the appetite is proof that God is already at work. The pilgrim who wakes before dawn hungry for the Word did not create that hunger. The hunger was placed there by the same God who promises to satisfy it.
And the promise — they shall be filled — is plain, positive, unconditional, and certain. Not they might be filled. Not they shall be filled if they try hard enough. They shall be filled. Period. Four words. No conditions. No exceptions. The God who gave the appetite guarantees the meal.
Smith's closing is the gentlest command in the Daily Remembrancer: believe it and be happy. Not strive and be worthy. Not work harder and be satisfied. Believe it and be happy. The happiness follows the believing — because the promise is already certain.
"None but God can produce this hunger, and only God can satisfy it."
James Smith · Daily Remembrancer · The hunger is the proof. The filling is the promise.Appetite Supposes Life
The dead do not hunger. The spiritual appetite is the proof that the spiritual life is real. The hunger itself is evidence of what God has already done.
Fixed on Its Object
No substitute can be found. The spiritual appetite cannot be satisfied with the world's offerings. Only Christ. Known extensively, experientially, practically. Christ as bread.
God Produces and Satisfies
None but God can produce this hunger. Only God can satisfy it. The same hand that gave the appetite guarantees the meal. The full circle — His from start to finish.
Believe It and Be Happy
Plain, positive, unconditional, certain. They shall be filled. Not might. Shall. Smith's gentlest command: believe it and be happy. The happiness follows the believing.