Living by the Word 

   Israelites, about to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the desert, had no personal memory of the Passover, the Red Sea crossing or even early times around Mr. Sinai. 

   Moses mentored this younger generation: ...man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. - Deuteronomy 8:3. Jesus, after fasting 40 days, quoted this verse to rebuff Satan's temptations.    - Matthew 4:4 

   If it was vital for those people to feed on God's Word, it is essential for us as well. 

   God planted his Word in the minds of prophets, who wrote for ancient Israelites, or at least their kings and others of importance. Christians still learn from those prophets today. Peter told believers: We have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place... - 2 Peter 1:19 

   Paul wrote to the Ephesians about wearing the "full armor of God" to withstand "the devil's schemes." This includes the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:17 

   The Holy Spirit, given to believers by Jesus after his resurrection, provides the Word - the gospel - a weapon against "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."   

   Paul wrote to the Colossians, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...      v. 3:16. He wanted them to read, study, meditate and pray until it lived in them.  

    The Word is food, light, a sword for spiritual battle, and food once more...richly! 

Tomorrow: Our responsibility