But he answered, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4 (English Standard Version)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. –Deuteronomy 8:3.

A very hungry Jesus, the Savior of the world, once referenced an Old Testament scripture when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’- Matthew 4:3-4

This same scripture is just as applicable to us today as it was to people who lived thousands of years ago. It is the WORD of God (Bible) that grows our faith! Feeds our Spirit! Encourages us! Blesses us! Teaches and corrects us! For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

The WORD of God should be our bedrock penchant. The Oxford English Dictionary defines “bedrock” as the fundamental principles on which something is based. Likewise, it also defines “penchant” as “a strong liking or inclination.” The WORD of God is the summation of what the Christian faith is all about! It is what points to our Savior Jesus Christ who is the Word of God! For the Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. – John 1:1 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full grace and truth. –John 1:14

Why then, do some people avoid opening their bible? I think Bishop J.C. Ryle was on to something when he said this:

“Be very sure of this—people never reject the Bible because they cannot understand it. They understand it only too well; they understand that it condemns their own behavior; they understand that it witnesses against their own sins, and summons them to judgement.”

It’s worth considering that Ryle’s statement may be a reason why we often neglect to read our Bibles. May we be as wise as the Psalmist and meditate on the Word of God day and night and I guarantee that you will be blessed! For the Bible says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. –Psalm 1:1-3. Amen

-Jason

Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively. To learn more about the organization for which Jason volunteers, please visit www.HaitiChristianity.org.

Learn more about Jason M. Alexandre here.