Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" ~ Matthew 4:4

Jesus had been fasting in the desert for fourty days. To withstand the extreme heat of the day and the cold of the night would be task enough, but to have no food during that time would be too much. And Satan well knew this as he approached Jesus. The human aspect of Christ he knew well, just as he knows our weaknesses and preys upon them when given the chance. Jesus body was weak from lack of food, and his body was hungry, and therefore Satan desired to meet His need through coercion.

We have just come through our Christmas celebrations with family and friends, and I am sure there was no lack of food present at most tables. We do live in a blessed country, yet I do not want to ignore that there are still many who suffer from lack of supply. But here the concentration is not directly upon what fills the stomach, but what fills the soul, and it is a responsibility which is placed squarely upon our own shoulders. To sit at a table and eat demands that I and you do some preparatory work. We must mix ingredients, and cook, then sit to eat. Not many of us have someone to do all this for us, and even if we do, there is for an adult the responsibility to find that food. To survive we must eat.

But what about our spiritual life? Are we "spoon-fed" by God to know what He says? Absolutely not! We must delve into His word to find the truths, the principles, the answers to the life questions and situations we encounter. Survival comes through reading the word of God, through prayer time spent with God, through relationship with God. It is to search and to hear what God is saying to you and to me. Open your minds and hearts today to hear His voice through His word, and then live life to the fullest in His presence!
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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