July 4

The Word, Necessary Food

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matt 4:4 BSB

If God so willed, we could live without bread, just as Jesus did for forty days. But we could not live without His Word. It was by His Word that we were created, and only by it can we be sustained. He upholds all things by the power of His Word. Bread may nourish our bodies, but God Himself is our true sustenance. He can provide for us with or without physical food, so we must not limit Him to one way of working. Let’s not be overly focused on the visible; let’s look to the invisible God. Some believers have even testified that during times of deep poverty, when they had little food, their appetites also diminished. And in other times of need, the Lord sent unexpected help.

But we must have the Word of the Lord. Only by His Word can we stand against the enemy. Without it, we would quickly fall. Our souls need nourishment, and there is no spiritual food apart from the Word of God. No book or preacher can provide what only God’s Word can. Lord, give us Your Word daily. We treasure it more than the finest of earthly feasts.