‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matt4.4 ESV
It is interesting that Jesus did not say that we live on words, which have come from the mouth of God, but literally every word that is coming from His mouth. Some may consider emphasizing this present tense participle sort of splitting hairs but I believe it to be important. After all people do not live today on meals they ate last week. We need daily nourishment and not just for the body but the soul. It is not only what God has said to you but also what is He saying to you now. The desire of my heart is not just to read the Bible everyday, to hear a recording of what He has said, I want to hear Him speak to me today. Isn’t the live concert always better than a recording? Notice also the expression, “from the mouth of God.” Jesus is directing us to listen every day to what God is saying, to be hung on His every word (remember those E.F. Hutton commercials). The Bible is not intended to be some static written code but a dynamic means through which God speaks with us moment to moment though the Holy Spirit living in us. Perhaps He committed His word to writing because He doesn’t mind repeating Himself, especially to those of us who are hard of hearing. 10/18/2008 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
