Live by the Word of God

Read: Deut. 8:3

King James Version Chapter 8

All the commandments which I command thee this day ashall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee bthese forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and cto prove thee, dto know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and esuffered thee to hunger, and ffed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that gman doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Introduction:

Now science and the healthcare community tell us that the bare necessities for survival is food, water, and air.

Starvation is a slow and horrendous death.

God is reminding the Children of Israel - you should note the Book of Deuteronomy is the book of Remembrance -

He is reminding them that when they were hungry in the wilderness - God fed them manna - Angel’s food -

But God took them to this place for a lesson - there was a principle they needed to learn -

“The basic source of life was God and His Word to his people; in fact every utterance that came from His mouth was life giving.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 8:2–3

When Moses reminded them that they did not live on bread alone he meant that even their food was decreed by the word of God. They had manna because it came by His command. It was therefore ultimately not bread that kept them alive but His word! “Bread alone,” that is, bread acquired independently of His word, could not keep them alive.

God is making it clear beyond doubt, that God’s Word is as important for our survival as is our very food and nutrients.

When we see God’s Word in this light it should challenge our current perspective.

Do we treat God’s Word that is all around us as life giving as the bread on the table?

Unfortunately some cannot see the importance of God’s Word.

Some only Sample the Word of God

The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.

If the Bible doesn’t seem to be doing much for you- perhaps you should take inventory on it’s frequency of use.

Gipsy Smith told of a man who said he had received no inspiration from the Bible although he had “gone through it several times.” “Let it go through you once,” replied Smith, “then you will tell a different story!”

Jesus realized this - He quotes this exact verse when Satan tempts Him to turn stones into bread. God had not spoken stones to be bread - But He would provide food when it was time.

Jesus could make it awhile without a loaf of bread - but He couldn’t make it one second without The Word of God.

How often do you partake???

Some Slight the Word of God

If we don’t eat - we die

This is even more true if we slight or ignore the Word of God.

Sometimes God’s Word isn’t what we want to hear, or makes us uncomfortable so we tune it out

A former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park tells the story of a ranger leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. Nearing the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn't responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger.

Whenever we tune out or turn off the Word of God we cease to exist!!! That is a sobering thought.

How are you doing with the Word of God?

There are relative values in life, and one of them is that spiritual food is more important than physical.[133] Eugene H. Merrill, Volume 4: Deuteronomy, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1994), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 183.

Some Stuff Themselves on the Word of God

This is who I want to be - the guy who takes in all of teh Word of God he can handle.

But it’s not just taking it in - it is letting it change you

See God’s Word is not intended to jut inform but to Transform!!!

The Pulpit Commentary: Deuteronomy Chapter 8

Every word—literally, all, everything whatever—that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, i.e. all means which God has by his word provided, or by his word can provide, for the sustenance of life.

How are you measuring up?

Do you just sample a little taste here and there

Do you turn it off because it’s distracting and disturbing?

Or do you take it in and let it transform you?