Matthew 4:4(KJV)
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Jesus, while being tempted by the devil after 40 days of fasting to turn stones into bread, gave us the perfect example of how to respond to the devil. He said, “It is Written Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus was speaking beyond the needs of the human body. In other words, He was referring to humanity as a whole that consists of the body, soul, and spirit. Bread is known to be the most widely consumed food in the world. It’s a vital source of daily energy but not the only thing responsible for human survival and sustenance. Therefore, there is more to human life than eating physical food. We also understand from Scripture that we are alive because of the life God breathed into us(Genesis 2:7). So, our source of existence is from God and not bread or any other physical food, for bread alone isn’t enough to sustain us. John 6:63 says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Jesus understood that the flesh does not profit us, but the spirit that matters, and His words are spirit and life. So, the Word of God sustains life and destiny.
The Word of God is a storehouse of infinite treasures. The Word of God is food for the human spirit. In other words, what the Word does to us is what food does in our bodies. Regular consumption of the Word of God guarantees the vitality of both our physical and spiritual life. It is the Word of God that determines the growth of the spirit of man. Therefore, immersing ourselves in God’s Word daily is the key to spiritual growth. 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” Our life begins with the Word, and we stay alive by the Word. As the destiny of children hangs on their feeding, the destiny of God’s children also depends on their spiritual feeding of the Word of God. Proverbs 4:20-22 says, “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” The Word of God is life to those that find it and health to their flesh; the Word is a carrier of life. Only the Word of God gives the life which matters in the end. Job held in great respect the Word of God more than his necessary food(Job 23:12). This means the Word of God is more important to a child of God than his necessary physical food.
Beloved, make the Word of God a priority in your life. Read, study, meditate and practice the Word of God always because you cannot maintain a powerful, vibrant, and energetic life in God if you neglect His Word. Be determined to feed on the Word daily. Instead of going through the day worried and thinking about how things will work out, start meditating on what God says. Activate faith by speaking the Word of God. Let it sink inside of you and transform your being. Don’t eat your destiny but be guided by the Word of God. Having your physical needs met is significant and should not be ignored, but the same is true for your spirit. In other words, as you hunger for food and wouldn’t disregard your cravings, the same should apply to your soul. So, pursue the things that will benefit the spirit. Your appetite for the Word of God must be insatiable, just like a baby’s appetite for milk. You should be hungrier for God’s Word than for regular food. There is nothing more valuable than knowing and keeping God’s Word. God’s Word is alive, His Word is truth, and His Word is your weapon. So, take hold of His promises and find where it is written! Remember, your spirituality is at risk where the Word of God is in short supply.
O Lord, I ask that You give me the grace to study Your Word. Help me to meditate on Your Word frequently in Jesus’ Name.