Field Vision 10-30-24

My daily reading took me to the book Deuteronomy. This final book of the Pentateuch is all about renewal, as a new generation of God's people is on the edge of the promised land. Moses addresses the Israelites, recounting every painful aspect of God's faithfulness to them and their unfaithfulness to Him. As they proceed into the promised land, the first time reader might wonder: is this new generation's pledge to obey God genuine, or are they destined to repeat the same sinful pattern which was handed down to them?

A beautiful passage is found in Deuteronomy 8:3. Moses is reminding the nation of a specific trial the people endured in the wilderness because of their disobedience.

Deuteronomy 8:3
"He (God) humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Beloved brothers and sisters. When we feed on what is not God's best for us, we will be hungry. And God our Father will allow it. This is insulting to our self sufficiency and pride. And God our Father will allow it. This causes spiritual malnutrition. And God our Father will allow it. This often leads to pain, loss, disillusionment, depression, chaos... And God our Father will allow it.

Why? Because he wants us to turn away from Him once and for all? No. Because He is cruel? No. Because He's the ultimate perfectionist waiting around for His children to fail? No.

Why? Why does He allow us to go hungry?

So that we might be filled with something other than earthly bread. So that we may be fed by WHAT He provides, WHEN He provides, and HOW he provides.

We will only feast this way when we are humbled. We will only feast this way when our desire for the bread we can get for ourselves has failed us. We will only feast upon manna/Bread of heaven/The Word of God, when the bread of our own procuring leaves us hungry and unfulfilled.

What was Jesus' response to the tempter when he was hungry in the wilderness? When Satan told Him to procure bread of His own making Jesus said (Deut. 8:3) "Man will not live on bread alone, but on even word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Conclusion

1) Our spiritual hunger leads to humility When we feast on what is not God's best for us we will be spiritually emaciated and hungry. God allows the hunger to bring us to our knees before Him. It is only when we have stopped trying to feed ourselves with everything else that we are able to feast on the riches of His Word.

2) God provides what is needed for sustenance Manna was just what is needed for a wilderness diet. God provided what was needed, when it was needed and how it was needed. He will do the same for us by His Word and Spirit.

3) God's Word is a defense against the attacks of the enemy Even as Jesus combatted Satan with the truth of God's Word so must we. When the enemy tries to take you to any other form of Spiritual sustenance, remember, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which comes from the Father!"

Please let me know if there is any way I can serve you.

You are so very loved,

Pastor Fraser

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