“He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not 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
“Now Elijah the Tishbite said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord lives,.. there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’ And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’ So he did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith… And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath… and dwell there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’ So he arose and went to Zarephath… Elijah said to her,.. ‘Thus says the Lord, “The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.”’ She went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah…
“The woman said to Elijah, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.'” 1 Kings 17:1-10,13-16,24
“[Jesus] 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
In the reality of time and space, Israel was in a famine and Elijah was hungry. God’s word broke in to instruct and provide, and by the prophet’s obedience, his and others’ hunger was satiated. Throughout the scriptures, as the word came in power, so did its fulfillment.
God, in ordering both need and provision, demonstrates the potency of His spoken word. Though much is still mysterious to us, it is true that in Christ, every promise spoken is yes and amen. God’s word delivered is God’s word done, always in His way and timing. (Numbers 23:19; Jeremiah 1:12; 2 Corinthians 1:20)
When we live by mantras and pleasures of this world, our pangs are never satisfied. But when we live by God’s word- take it as our own and heed it- our souls are sustained. What is our true desire, and how are we pursuing it? (Psalm 63:5-7)
In weakness and hunger, where do we go for satisfaction? The world offers an array of empty enticements that lure eyes, mind, and emotions. If we would name and put away the poor choices and empty nourishment we’ve wastefully entertained, we’d see clearly to partake of the rich repast our Lord daily offers. (Isaiah 55:2)
Lord, may I find sustenance and satisfaction You alone.
