After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit sent him into the wilderness for 40 days. During that time Jesus
was tempted by the devil. One of the temptations Jesus faced was to turn stones into bread so he could
eat. Jesus responded to the devil’s temptation with Scripture.
But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)
This truth, which Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy in the face of temptation, is one we all need to take
to heart. We do not live by earthly food alone, but by the very word of God! In a very real way his word
is like food for us.
God’s word encourages us, it assures us, it gives us meaning and purpose. His word gives us insight into
God’s will for us, enables us to resist temptation, and it tells us everything we need for eternal life. In
other words, the word of God sustains us.
If we’re not regularly feasting on the word of God, then we are not receiving the sustenance we need,
and we’ll probably feel malnourished. We’ll be discouraged, and unsure. We’ll feel a lack of meaning
and purpose. We may feel lost, and we’ll fall to temptation.
Church, we need a steady diet of God’s word. It is meant to be a daily part of our lives, just as physical
food is a daily part of our lives.