But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 AMPC
The Context and Focus:
The story behind the verse above is from the account of the temptation of Jesus. From the verse in focus yesterday, we were introduced to the person of the Word of God. He is the One for whom and by whom all things we see are created, and they exist for His pleasure. He is the Authority behind all of creation; the power that holds all things together in place. Before anything existed, He is, and long after everything will cease to exist, He remains. This is the God who introduced Himself to us as the Word in yesterday's devotion. Yet, as mighty as Jesus, God did not keep him from trials and temptations. God needed him to walk in our shoes and experience our pain, so He could be provide us the perfect example of grace and mercy in the face of temptations. If He had to walk though that path, we will also walk the path. The steps he took then have become the platform for our own success, if we would apply the same measures He did. His life has become the perfect model to emulate, and if I can walk in His shoes, I will end up with Him.
The Message:
The devil came to Jesus who had just finished a 40-day fast. Of course, he was hungry, and that was the first need the devil wanted him to satisfy. I must be careful of the sense of urgency the devil will seek to place on me. This is the generation of the NOW, where it is hard to teach perseverance and patience. Men want it now, and they may kill or maim to get it. Hunger is a legitimate need, but I must be careful of the things I do to meet the need. If I have to break God's commandments, or seek help from the wrong place, how long can I last? If the foundations of my help are based on sin, how far can I go? Jesus was hungry, but He kept his father's will and purpose right in front of Him. I have to do the same at all times: keep God as my focus on a daily basis. The devil wanted Jesus to turn stones into bread, based on the odd question: "If you are the son of God". The devil knew Jesus is indeed the son of God, and I must also be careful of living up to man's expectations of me. Of what use is impressing men if God is displeased with me? Of what use would man's applause be if God is not also applauding?
The Conclusion:
The response of Jesus to the odd request is quite revealing: Jesus didn't bother debating his sonship, as that was not the point. Would anything I do or say change who Jesus is? Does my acceptance or rejection of Him impact who He is? The response of Jesus as revealed in the verse above shows the place and importance of priorities, pursuits, goals and aspirations that put God at the centre of all I consider important. Bread is good, because it meets a need that is critical to life, but after bread, what is next? After physical hunger has been fully satisfied, how do I address the equally important spiritual hunger? I must know that I am first a spiritual being, and I must seek that which feeds my spiritual man. God's Word is that sustaining power that provides all that a man truly needs, and without it, there is no hope. What is the use of the strength food provides, if there is no direction to apply the strength to? I must seek God and his Word. I must get a Word from God every day, so that every day can be guided and directed. God waits for me. God waits for you. How would we respond? God's time of favour is here.
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