“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
This is an amazing statement by our Lord Jesus. He was quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3. He is talking about God’s provision for His people. God has provided more than earthly food. He has given us the Scriptures.
In the Old Testament, from which Jesus quoted so regularly, and the New Testament, which is the fulfillment of much that is written in the Old, we have the Bible as the completed Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21). It is a book in which “Thus saith the Lord” and like expressions recur constantly. God speaks in the first person or through His representatives.
The Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). It lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23). Its glories are sung in Psalm 119. Since the Bible is God’s communication to man, the instructional manual by man’s Owner and Maker, we ought to diligently consult it every day we live on earth. This constant attention and obedience is precisely what is commanded in the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).
God’s Word will impart many blessings to the one who reads it, studies it and obeys it. Some of these blessings include:
1. Salvation: 1 Peter 1:23
2. Nourishment: 1 Peter 2:2; Psalm 19:10; Hebrews 5:12, 24
3. Growth: Acts 20:32; 1 Peter 2:2
4. Wisdom: Psalm 119:99-100
5. Cleansing: Psalm 119:9, 11; John 15:3
6. Guidance: Psalm 119:105
7. Comfort: Psalm 119:28, 50, 76; Romans 15:4
8. Joy: John 15:11
9. Blessing: Deuteronomy 28:1-8; Joshua 1:8
Timothy summed up the importance of God’s Word when he said, “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Is it profitable to you? The blessings come only to those who spend time reading it, studying it, meditating on it, and putting it into practice. JUST DO IT!