Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. – Deuteronomy 8:3
Christ’s reply to the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:3, 4) with the words taken from the Old Testament identifies the need for His followers to understand that, while the body needs to be sustained, the spirit should have greater sway in what you say, what you desire, and the path you take.
It was not without purpose that the Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years. They had been saved from slavery and were now being trained… trained to be humble, accepting that only God could give them life; trained to understand the state of their hearts and what they needed to know and do so their affections focused solely on the Lord; trained to rely totally on God, dependent on Him for all help, sustenance, and guidance.
Each one learned in a different way. Some learned through affliction; some learned when the commands were difficult to obey. Some took the entire forty years to learn while others learned very quickly. Some learned when they saw the miracle of the manna settled on the ground the first morning. They knew that it was God’s word that sent it; He cared, and they would obey.
It is the same for you. God teaches each believer, His adopted child, in different ways…
sometimes through adversity and sometimes through blessings. Each situation teaches the specific purpose God has for you. The writer C. Clemance stated, “Ever let us keep the end of life in view. For eternity we are meant, and for eternity we should live.”
Pray now that you might learn your lessons well and be a guide to others who have lost their way.
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