Necessary Food

Jesus said, “It is written, ‘man shall not live

by bread alone, but by every word that

proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

    Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

“I have not departed from the commandment

of His lips; I have treasured the words of

His mouth more than my necessary food.”

    Job 23:12 (NKJV)

I have been challenged lately not to become anxious when I see people at the store with their carts heaping full and some of the shelves bare, and to resist the temptation to buy more than I need for myself. We are living in challenging times to be sure. But I dare say none of us lived through the Great Depression or during wartime rationing and shortages.  Instead, we’re used to having plenty and many of our “needs” are actually luxuries according to some standards.  I hope and pray that God will fill us with gratitude for what we have, rather than concern over what we don’t have, and help us to trust in our gracious Lord to provide for all our true needs.

Also, our priorities may need to be re-ordered.  For as Jesus notes, we do not live by bread alone, but by God’s word.  Food sustains our bodies but we need to hear from God in order to be fed spiritually. Yet how many of us can say, as Job did, that we treasure God’s word more than our necessary food?  My hope and prayer is that we will use a portion of our extra time at home to grow spiritually by feeding on Scripture, studying and meditating on it.  There is help and hope, encouragement and comfort, in God’s word; be sure to feast on some today and every day.

It is good to remember that we have all we need in Christ, for He is the bread of life (John 6:48). Why not share this truth with someone who is anxious and fearful today?