Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/73

Contributor - Harvey Van Farowe

Title - Not By Bread Alone

Topic - Devotions

But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'." Matthew 4: 4

It is said that the early Dutch pioneers who accompanied Dominee Van Raalte to the New World were very poor. Marian M. Schoolland in Children of The Reformation writes, "a blind horse could have done little or no damage in the homes of most of the pioneers in the Dutch colonies. There just was nothing to damage! A large packing crate for a table, a board laid across stumps for a seat, a bunk bed with rope 'springs' and a straw mattress. But every Christian family had a Bible". And no doubt with poverty and uncertainty plus the religious motives of the immigrants that Bible was read frequently.

The need to faithfully read God's Word is no less in our time of plenty, or any time. It was said of the late Dr. Robert Speer, who for forty-six years was secretary of a Presbyterian mission board, that "he believed with Chrysostom that the cause of all our evils lies in our not knowing the Scriptures". Such a statement from wise men of experience can remind us of the words of Christ, "ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures . . .".

Some of us think we do know our Bibles well and sometimes slack off on their reading. But in opportune or difficult moments we find ourselves wishing we had a better grasp of the Word at our finger tips and we lament our lack.

Jesus did not have that regret. Even when He was most severely tempted He could answer the tempter, "It is written". Three times in His temptation, recorded in Matthew, He quoted Scripture to thwart Satan. And He came out of the experience on top.

If Christ was tempted and faced difficult decisions, so will His followers and His churches. And we need to know well that while things like bread are important, they are not our only important necessities. "Man shall not live by bread alone." "Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"

Some professing Christians have three or more good meals a day, plus snacks, without feeding on the Word. Some, I suppose, frequently feast on expensive steaks but neglect the quality meat of the Scriptures. Yet our Lord said, "Man SHALL NOT live by bread alone". It is imperative that he also live and be blessed by the divine Word.

Perhaps you have tried reading the Bible frequently but seem to get very little out of it. All chapters may not speak equally to you but if you are living in companionship with God, many will feed your soul. Examine your relationship with Christ? Is it what it should or could be? Are you submitted to -God?

Have you of late humbled yourself and honestly confessed your sins? If you are in harmony with the Saviour you can certainly find blessing in God's book. A Bible help or commentary also often proves stimulating. Further, I have found that varying the time of day for reading, varying the translation, and reading some from the Old Testament and some from the New add interest.

Perhaps too, you have limited your reading too much to easily understood or favourite passages. Jesus mentioned living by "EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God". Read from the whole Bible. Attempt those passages or books with which you are not familiar. God didn't give us six books but sixty-six. Growth often comes through attempting something more difficult or unfamiliar. A well rounded, balanced Christian life also is better insured in this way. Some omit passages on the Holy Spirit, others on the unity of the body of Christ. That can make for under-fed believers and disunity in churches.

Bible reading takes perseverance and discipline. But to the faithful and the disciplined belong the rewards. Jesus was well read in His Father's Word and He didn't falter when He needed it. He could say with authority to the strongest opponent, "it is written". You and I can find blessed victory too, a victory that will inspire our lives and thankfulness.

You have a precious, powerful possession in your home or room. It is "profitable" unto all things. For your sake and God's don't underestimate its value. You can often afford to miss a t.v. program or twenty minutes of sleep but can you afford to miss time spent with God's Word?

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