Daily Bread

First Christian Church of Chicago
Jan 22
2 min read

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 8:3

“…man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (NIV)

Devotional Thought

Physical hunger demands your attention. Recent Snickers commercials have shown a picture of what we can be like when we are hungry (or shall I say, “hangry”). Yet spiritual hunger can be easier to ignore. Yet Jesus tells us that God’s Word is just as essential to life as food.

Interpretation

Deuteronomy 8:3 recalls how God deliberately let Israel feel hunger in the wilderness and then fed them with the unexpected gift of manna, a food they had never seen before, to expose how deeply they depended on him. The verse explains that this was not just about teaching them where their next meal would come from, but about revealing that human life is sustained at a deeper level by God’s spoken will and promise, “every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” In this context, “bread” stands for ordinary, visible means of support, while God’s “word” points to his commands, promises, and guidance that created and directed Israel’s whole journey. By tying their physical experience of hunger and manna to this truth, Moses shows that Israel’s true life as God’s covenant people rests not on what they can secure for themselves, but on God’s ongoing, life-giving speech.

Contemporary Relevance

We live in a world that feeds the body but often starves the soul. Scripture trains you to hear God’s voice, depend on His wisdom, and trust His provision. You cannot thrive spiritually on occasional snacks — you need consistent nourishment in God’s Word. Daily engagement shapes your desires, steadies your emotions, and strengthens your trust in Him.