The Word of God Is a Feast

Before Jesus began His public ministry, He went out into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights “to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). That was His purpose—to face Satan’s attacks head on. During those forty days, Jesus fasted. He didn’t eat a thing. So, not surprisingly, He was hungry—and there was Satan, ready with the perfect temptation: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread” (v. 3). And what was Jesus’ response to such a test? He quoted Scripture: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (v. 4; see also Deuteronomy 8:3).

I am telling you, on the authority of the Word of God, that the Word of God itself is the only food that will sustain you, nourish you spiritually, and encourage you every day. Just as our physical bodies need good, nutritious food to eat, so too, our spirits need spiritual food, which is the Word of God. If Jesus relied on Scripture for His strength, how much more should we?

The reason our culture, and much of the Church, is experiencing a spiritual famine today is because God’s people are so malnourished. We work hard to provide daily food for our families, and that’s wonderful and good. We work hard to stay healthy, and that’s great. We work hard to educate our children. We work hard physically to thrive, and yet, when it comes to feeding our spirits, feeding our souls, we think we can survive on a few crumbs of Scripture here and there. No! How in the world can we go month after month without feeding our spirits on the Word of God? The Word of God is not just the only worthy food for your spirit; it’s also the only power for living. The Bible is our daily bread, more precious than anything else we might crave. Let us eat and give thanks!

Prayer: Father, forgive me for neglecting Your Word. I know it is to my detriment because Your Word is life. Give me a deeper understanding of Your Word by Your Spirit, that I might grow in faith to the glory of Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.