Scripture
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” Matthew 4:4 NIV
Observation
Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights and was, of course, very hungry. Satan comes to tempt Jesus by taking things into His own hands and making bread from stones. Jesus redeems what the Israelites had failed at in that He completely relied upon God for sustenance. Being on the very brink of survival, Jesus still trusts in His Father to sustain him.
We, too, may be at the end of our patience or to a point where we are about to take things into our own hands. We put a time frame upon God for His answer and help. Anything beyond that and we are “forced to do it on our own.” Jesus shows us that when we wait upon God’s timing, the result will be so many times over what we could have had when we did it our own way. God tells us that He desires obedience over sacrifice. When we do something outside of His will, seeking to find whatever it is to fill that need, we are falling to sin and, as the Bible says, end up with gravel in our mouths rather than “stolen bread”. Sin is a knock-off of a genuine product that is unimaginably more valuable. Jesus desires us to seek our sustenance in God as we hold on to Him in obedience.
Application
After reading this verse, I have thought of times I have regretted obeying God and doing things just because I wanted it now. I am reminded of the regret I feel, and though forgiven, I see how things would have been had I listened and waited. God knows best and will sustain me. All I need to do is listen and follow. God is instructing me not to take the shortcuts which lead to regret. Rather, trust that what He has for me will be and is so much greater.
I need to be very careful when I am physically down. Like being super hungry, I will look for anything just to fill me up, and after that, I will just feel terrible that I ate all the junk I could find.
- Have the right things around. When I am hungry and just want to fill myself up, I need to have the right foods around. It is the same when I am feeling angry, tired, or even lustful. If I have only junk around I will just fill up on those things. I need to have the proper outlets, remain in self-control, and choose godly options over whatever I can.
2)Hold on. God sometimes helps us to develop patience and even tests us to see if we are reliant upon Him or if we just do whatever we can once we feel pressure. There are Biblical characters that did not choose to wait and not so great things happened to them. Sometimes, God’s sustenance is right there if we just hang on.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus, who has redeemed us. Thank you for giving us an example we can follow.Thank you for still loving us and calling us to You when we have chosen to do things ourselves. Thank you for your patience with us. I ask for Your Help when I am struggling with trying to take things into my own hands. I choose to follow You, and I need Your help. Help me be surrounded by the things that will bring me to You, and help me to hold on to receive Your blessing. Thank you again for today’s word! I love You, in your Name, Jesus! Amen!
