Every Word

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

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Your reply to the tempter is a significant reminder to me today. I am not sustained by just food for my body. I am sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. These words were spoken by Moses to the nation of Israel reminding them that God had led them for forty years in the desert, humbling them and causing them to hunger. God fed them with manna—supernatural bread from Heaven—to teach them that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deut. 8:3).

When I am consistently reading, meditating upon, and journaling your Word, I am stronger, healthier, steadier, and satisfied. When I prioritize this time in the morning with you, I am confident my day will be incomparably better than if I had gone without. Time in your Word is essential for my survival, like air, water, or natural food. Without it, I slowly perish. Today, as I read this verse, I saw something deeper. I am to live on every word that comes from God's mouth. Frequently, I live on my own plans, what comes from my own mind. I live on my own desires, what comes from my own heart. But your Word declares that I shall live on what God says, what comes from His own mouth. That means my "living" isn't upon my own thoughts or desires, but on what God speaks. Therefore, I am desperate to hear His voice for me today. I am literally unable to live without it.

Gracious Lord, today I am desperate to hear Your voice. I will hear it today through Your written Word. I will hear it today through communion and conversation with You in prayer. I will even hear it through the wisdom and knowledge You impart to those around me. Today I shall not live on my "bread", what I think or feel, but on every word that comes from Your mouth.

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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