Live by Faith

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Live by Faith


Jesus… answered and said, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God
Luke 4:4

The above verses were spoken in the context of the devil tempting Jesus to command stones to be made bread. Jesus answered the devil's temptation by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3. Jesus' response is astonishing to the modern mind in that He asserts humans can live through the Word of God! In other words, the Word of God has the power to keep humans alive, to provide them food and shelter.

Jesus taught this same truth in His famous Sermon on the Mount where He saidseek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these thingsshall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). The things Jesus is referring to are food and clothes, which would also include shelter (Matthew 6:25-26, 30-31).

In Jesus foundational parable of "The Sower", where He teaches that all parables need to be understood in its light (Marks 4:13), Jesus teaches that seeking first the kingdom of God means to give first priority to receiving God's Word in our heart (Mark 4:20, 26). Seeking God's righteousness is similar, as God's righteousness comes through faith in God's Word, specifically faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3, 8, 10), and faith comes when we receive God's Word in our heart (Romans 10:17).

Jesus is saying that if we will give first priority to receiving God's Word in our heart, ensuring we are 'in faith', and therefore right with Him; then food and clothes will be added to us. Jesus asserts we can live by the Word of God!

When faced with temptation from the devil, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:1-4, which reveals that supernatural provision was provided for the children of Israel from God's Word.

God commanded Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and to cross the Sea - on dry ground through the midst of the Sea (Exodus 14:16, 21-22) and enter the wilderness. The Word of the Lord commanded Israel to be in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness. Verse three says; and He (God) fed thee with manna… that He might make thee to know that man does not live by bread only, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

God wanted them to know that man… can live… by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord! As Israel followed the leadership of God's Word, God fed them supernaturally. Today, God also wants us to know this powerful and liberating truth!

God has forever laid out a testimony: He fed Israel supernaturally for forty years in the wilderness, which came as a result of their faith and obedience to obey His Word and leave Egypt (even though they were not obedient and faithful in all things). This testimony is however very encouraging for us. According to the Scriptures, as long as we keep our heart in faith in His promises, and ensure we are following the voice of His Holy Spirit, we are assured of divine provision. Notice it also includes clothes and healing: thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years (Deuteronomy 8:4). This is our promise too!

God's provision has not changed from the day of Moses, to the day of Jesus, to today; any human can still live by the Word of God! Food and clothes, plus healing, was provided to Israel and was in the forefront of Jesus ministry (Jesus healed all that came to Him in faith, fed the five, and four, thousand, showed Peter where to catch more fish and instructed his disciples where to find the tax money in the fishes mouth). Healing and prosperity is still contained in Jesus' gospel of 'shalom' - Romans 10:15 (shalom includes the meanings of healing and prosperity according to Strong's and Vine's Dictionaries).

Pray with me, "Lord I thank you that I can live by faith in your Word. Your Word elevates me above the poverty, the sickness and the fear which is in this world. Your Word propels me into a supernatural, divine experience of your power and love. I will do my part to give your promises first place in my priority, and in my heart. I will always follow the lead of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that as I do this you will supernaturally add to me the things I need for life; food, clothes, shelter and healing. Thank you that you have freed me from the fear of poverty, sickness, lack and death. I love and worship you forever, in Jesus Christ name, Amen."
 Copyright © Andrew J. Shreeve 2010

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