Kurt and I have a few hobbies that we enjoy together, one of which is rock climbing and hiking. I’m sorry to say we don’t carve out as much time for it as we would like. Ageing bodies and time are not always our friend and so as we’ve gotten older, we don’t do it as much as we would like. If you’ve ever been on a very long hike or climb you know that one of the most important things you can have is sustenance along the way. Water first and foremost is important so we would stay hydrated but we also liked to bring our favorite trail mix, beef jerky and maybe a peanut butter sandwich. It was important if we were going to be out for several hours, expending energy that we take some necessary items to keep our physical bodies energized.
In Mathew 4:4 Jesus says this:
But He answered and said, “it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God
Jesus was quoting here a passage of scripture from the Old Testament found Deuteronomy 8:3
So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
It is important for us to know and understand the ingredients of living. The things that make life abundant and glorious. One of those very important items is the Word of God. We could have an abundance of decadent food in front of us with every delicacy that man could come up with but still be starving, empty and powerless on the inside.
Without God’s Word speaking into us we will find ourselves at the mercy of our environment. If Kurt and I had not made provision for ourselves on our hiking adventures, we quite possibly may have found ourselves thirsty and dehydrated. Without energy snacks and some small meals, we may have lacked the necessary energy to reach our destination.
On life’s journey we will find many ups and downs. There will be seasons of easy walking on life’s pathway and others with a precipice that seems almost insurmountable and impossible to trek. But if we have made necessary provision for our spirit man by allowing the Word of God to speak into us then we will discover what Jesus was talking about here. We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. What does God say about your situation? When your health is failing, His Word says by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). When we have no strength, His word says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). When we are fearful, he says Don’t be afraid only believe (Mark 5:36)
I encourage you today to make provision for the days ahead by laying up the Word of God in your heart. You may not see the necessity today but life’s terrain can change very quickly. Take the Spirit of God for hydration, and the Word of God for powerful, overcoming victory. We do not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Get to LIVING!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. Your Word is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. Forgive me for not giving your Word first place in my life. I commit myself to no longer take your word for granted but to read it and allow myself to be changed by it daily. In Jesus Name. Amen.