With the frantic pace of life in the modern world, we all seem to look for moments to fit in another activity. Even our eating habits have changed from sit-down, family meals of yesteryear to an energy bar on the run, or worse, frequent stops at the drive-through windows of fast food restaurants. With Thanksgiving approaching, that might be the last American meal when a family takes the time to eat, talk and share with one another.
Sadly, our family meals are not the only ones to suffer. Jesus reminded us when quoting Deuteronomy that our spiritual food is just as important as the physical food.
But He answered and 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
In this verse, Jesus was speaking to Satan, who was misquoting God’s Word by using it out of context. Surely, by applying only snippets of the Gospel to our lives, we can find ourselves far off course. Though Job’s wife encouraged him to “Curse God and die,” in Job 2:9, the verse is not teaching that action as a precept of the Christian doctrine. Yet to understand the verses in context, we have to study the Bible in its entirety.
During the year of writing this devotional, many people have commented that the daily writing is too long. Yet the goal of the devotional still is being accomplished – to draw closer to the Lord. If the devotional would help even one other person in the same capacity, it would be a double blessing. For some of the people reading this daily, it is the only taste of the Bible they get in that day. Others individually remain in God’s Word daily, and it is understandable they may not have the time to read any more. Sadly, many people do not desire to chisel out five minutes of their days to devote to the Bible, desiring at the most a verse and a couple of sentences to give them a good feeling. Instead, God wants us to meditate on His Word throughout the day.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8
Joshua highlighted the most important aspect of Bible study as it has more to do with following God’s Word than knowing it. “Actions speak louder than words,” and in the same manner, the Bible must travel the 18 inches between brain and heart before the words truly can affect lives. Yet without knowing God’s Word, we cannot accomplish His desires in our lives. Just as a cow chews its food, we are to chew on the Word of God, ruminating on how to apply the Lord’s philosophies and commandments personally. The most important part of our daily spiritual meals is that it always points to Jesus.
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 6:35
Certainly, without spending time in God’s Word, how much of a priority can a relationship with Him be in your life? Sadly, we have chosen to fill our time with aspects of this world that will pass away. Though we are called by God to earn a living by the sweat of our brows, work is not His only calling upon our lives. Additionally, we are called by the Lord to spend time with our families, yet God desires for us to teach His Word to them, as He has entrusted us with their lives. Yet many run through each day before collapsing in front of the television before falling asleep, with an empty bag from the nearest drive though still sitting atop the coffee table.
Jesus is not fast food. If you spend time at His table, He will fill you completely!
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
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