Bread Yes, But Not Only

“³And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” – Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV)

I have known that “man does not live by bread alone” for a good portion of my life. It is important to have sustenance for the body to be able to make it through the physical demands that are presented. Yet, where the body needs the nourishment, the mind and soul are in need as well and that will come from another place other than the food we eat. Frankly, there is always food available. Yes, it may not be from a five star restaurant, and may be found on the streets, but the food can be found for the physical nourishment. Even the Israelite people in the wilderness were hungry and the LORD provided bread from heaven. I have to remember to look to the LORD for all that I am in need of and not just the food for the nourishment of the body.

“⁴Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.” – Deuteronomy 8:4 (ESV)

The Israelite people in the forty years out in the wilderness were fully provided for by the LORD and not just the food needed. See above how they did not experience need for clothing or healthcare. God ensured that they were able to make it with what they had and He provided for all that time. I don’t see my shoes or clothing making it forty years wearing them day in and day out.

I will not make it on just the bread provided for my physical body, and there is no use worrying about it as it will be taken care of by God.

“³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:31-34 (ESV)

Jesus stated the above in His “Sermon on the Mount”. He made sure that the people knew that whatever they need shall be provided for by God and our job is simply to do the work of God knowing he will provide. John the Baptist, lived in the wilderness and was provided for by God, maybe not the way we would have liked to be provided for, but John was content.

“⁴Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” – Matthew 3:4 (ESV)

We worry too much about what and were we will eat. It is important to remember that God will provide for the physical nourishment. But we should also know that God will provide for all of our needs, and it is our job to follow Him to realize those provisions wherever they may come from.

What stock are you placing in the provision of God? Are you focused on what you will have for the physical nourishment only? What if you realized that God will provide for all of your needs and that you cannot live by bread alone?