Shall Be Made Fat
When we think of fat, we think of the animal and human tissue that is greasy or oily. For example, the fat of animals sacrificed to the Lord was burned. And in 1 Sam 2:29, Eli and his sons made themselves fat with the offerings of Israel.
However, fat is also used to describe a person who is abounding in spiritual grace and comfort. There are three places in the Bible where we find people who “shall be made fat”. These are the ones we want to discuss tonight. Who shall be made fat?
The trusting soul, Prov 28:25. “He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat”. We are so accustomed to providing for ourselves according to our lusts, appetites, and desires, that we don’t often think of trusting the Lord with these. For instance, if we’re hungry, we just get something to eat. And in this way, we satisfy our basic “needs”.
But when we trust the Lord with our basic physical and spiritual needs, God gives us something that is better for us and more enjoyable than we generally provide for ourselves.
The pulse was better for Daniel and his companions than the king’s meat, Dan 1:8-15. They were “fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat”.
Manna was better for the children of Israel than all the food they had formerly eaten in Egypt. And when combined with every word of God, they were more richly sustained than any other people on earth. At 120, Moses’s “eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated”, Deut 34:7. At 85 years old, Caleb said, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me”, Jos 14:10-11.
Rather than just satisfy your appetite and lusts when you desire something, trust the Lord with these and see what and how he provides. You might find that by waiting and giving him time to direct you in these, you will actually be better off and more satisfied with what he provides.
The diligent soul, Prov 13:4. The soul of the diligent shall be made fat. The diligent person applies himself earnestly and energetically to his tasks. He isn’t lazy or slothful. And thus he abounds with blessings because the Lord blesses his efforts.
For example, Jesus said for us to “pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest”, Matt 10:38. He said to pray for “laborers”, the ones who will actually go into the harvest and work.
The liberal soul, Prov 11:25. The liberal soul shall be made fat. This is God’s principle. When you are generous with what God has given you, then he blesses you to be able to continue to be generous. Prov 22:9, “He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor”.
God makes the liberal soul fat with temporal blessings so he can keep on giving and with eternal blessings so that he has fruit down here and rewards in heaven.
Conclusion: seek to be made fat by becoming a trusting, diligent, liberal soul.