It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matt 4:4

There comes a time when we must face the question “What are you living for?” Each day is filled with anticipation for greater fulfillment than yesterday, attention for a new beginning, a fresh start, or maybe anxiety for unresolved issues seems to hinder us from what we deem joys and pleasures in life. So often we are drawn to seek satisfaction in things that are the object of our desire rather than searching out substance that satisfies the soul. Pleasures in life tend to evade us until we obtain peace for our soul. All our striving, seeking, and searching seems so endless until we ask ourselves, “By what means are you living?” The scripture passage instructs us in the manner for which we find the desire of our heart and fulfillment for the soul. It is not by the objects of pleasure that one should live for, “but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” God created man and provided all that is ever needed “according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19). Man would enjoy God’s supply and have peace with God until he exchanged it for pleasure. From that moment, and even now, man has sought pleasure to fill what was made empty by sin against God’s word. Born in sin, we have an appetite for pleasure that clouds our judgement and blinds us to what is truly needed to fill and satisfy the eternal emptiness with the heart of man. Jesus, while alone in the wilderness, became tired and hungry. He was tempted by satan to please His hunger with provisions from the world. He resisted satan’s temptation and chose God over mammon. Jesus made “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” His number one priority. Jesus was obedient to the word of God to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). God created us and gave us the appetites and desires within our bodies. The body is more than food. Dear friend, do not take your life out of God’s hand and give yours heart over to worldly passions, desires, and appetites. “Trust in the Lord, and do good…and feed on His faithfulness” (Ps 37:3). God will supply all your need, according to His riches in glory. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4). Father, thank You for peace with You through Your Son Jesus Christ. When I am tempted to exchange Your peace for worldly pleasure, strengthen my heart in Your word. You are my Strength, my Hope, and my Redeemer. I know that my Redeemer lives and I may “live…by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.