Pray the WordSample

Sustained by the Word

In today's verse, Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 as he was being tempted in the wilderness. After forty days of fasting, the devil tried to get him to turn stones into bread. So Jesus looked at him and said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Do you believe that? That you live by every word that comes from the mouth of God? That God’s Word is more important to you than breakfast or lunch or dinner, more important than food itself? Do you view God’s Word as your sustenance, something you can’t live without?

The Bible teaches from cover to cover that God’s Word is our source of life. That’s what Jesus told the devil when he was tempted to rely on something other than the word of his heavenly Father.. The question is, is this kind of reliance on the Word evident in your life? Do you live like the Word of God is your daily bread? This is a truth the psalmist knew well:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1–2)

Let me encourage you, especially around the beginning of a new year, if you don’t have a regular Bible reading plan to help you be intentional about feasting on the Word daily, then make that a priority. Don’t just nibble at the Word of life. This is more important than any earthly meal you’ll ever eat.

Prayer

So we pray, God, help us to live like we believe this. Like we believe your Word is our sustenance, because it is! Our lives depend on your Word. God, we cannot experience life apart from your Word. As you say in Isaiah 55:3, “Hear, that your soul may live.” You have given us life in your Word, so help us to read it and study it and memorize it and meditate on it day and night, to treasure it as our life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.