THE LIVING BREAD

THROUGH THE BIBLE - Deuteronomy

Read Deuteronomy 8; Luke 4:1–13; John 6:26-66

      "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna…to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."  Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV

      Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasted and prayed for forty days. At the end of that time, when he was hungry, Satan said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." (Luke 4:3) Jesus answered by quoting Moses, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone.”

      Jesus referred to the story of Moses again when speaking to the Jews, “Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died…I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” After he had said this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (John 6:49, 51, 66)  They refused to eat the true Bread of Life coming from the mouth of the Lord.

* * *

      Dear Jesus, help me remember that You said, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life." (John 6:27 NKJV) Lord, You are the One who provides our daily bread. Help us trust in Your daily provision, even as we trust You for everlasting life.

* * *

      "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." Deuteronomy 8:17 18 NIV

DO NOT FORGET

TEACH THE CHILDREN

Read Deuteronomy 4:1–40

      "Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.”   Deuteronomy 4:40 NIV

* * *

      Moses anticipated that the children and grandchildren of those who were born in the desert would need to be reminded of what had happened there. He warned, "Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them… Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (4:9; 6:7b)

      God’s laws were not meant to burden His people, but to lead them to prosperity and blessing. The law functioned as a tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.   (Galatians 3:24–25 NKJV)

* * *

      Dear Father, thank You that the law no longer condemns us, but in fact, brings us to the only One who could satisfy its demands. Remind us to tell our children and grandchildren the stories of how You introduced us to the Savior, so they too, will place their trust in You.

* * *

      From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:15–17 NIV

DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED

JOSHUA AND CALEB

Read Deuteronomy 1:1–40

      "See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 1:21 NIV

* * *

      The Israelites were miraculously delivered as God divided the Red Sea and let them walk across on dry ground– which should have been enough to convince them that God was on their side. In spite of this, when it was time to enter the promised land, they did not trust in the Lord their God. They said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart…" (27b-28a)

      Ten spies were sent into the land, but only two believed that God would give them victory. God, through Moses, said to the people, "Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb and Joshua… your children who do not yet know good from bad…they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it." (1:35-39)

* * *

      Lord, grant us the faith to do Your will, no matter how challenging it may be. Help us to wait upon you for the emotional and physical strength only You can give. I pray that we will be faithful to lead our children and grandchildren into Your promises, and not fall behind so that they must enter alone. “May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful!” (Jon Mohr)

* * *

      "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:31 32 NIV