Living Word Devotional by Pastor Mensa Otabil
Tuesday 24th June 2025
LIVE BY GOD’S WORD
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-20
So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
Jesus quoted part of this verse from the book of Deuteronomy when Satan tempted Him after His fast in the wilderness. In this passage, God explained why He allowed Israel to go through hunger in the wilderness. Although the experience of Israel cannot be clearly designated as a fast, we can learn valuable lessons to apply to fasting.
We fast:
1. To develop a hunger for God. When we fast, we turn away from food to turn to God. The physical hunger we feel must help us to develop a greater hunger – a spiritual hunger for God. We must channel the yearnings that come with fasting away from food and towards the things of God.
2. To show God what is in our hearts. You cannot say that God is more important to you than everything else and yet be unable to put aside food for His sake. When we fast, we demonstrate that God is our priority. The sacrifices we make when we refrain from eating to focus on God tell of what is in our hearts.
3. To learn to live by God’s word – When we fast, we stop depending on food for sustenance and rather allow the word of God to sustain us. It is important to spend time in the Word of God during fasting. We enrich our spirits and our souls as we do this and equip ourselves for victory in the day of trials and temptations.
4. To yield to God’s leading. When we fast, our spirits become more open and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. How vital it is to have our steps ordered by Him. As we fast, we position ourselves to hear clearly from God and obtain the guidance we need to make good decisions.
What are your motives for fasting? It’s possible to fast for the wrong reasons. But as we have learnt today, when we fast for the right reasons, God will reward our faithfulness with His presence, sustenance and direction.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are my sustainer. Help me to turn away from all others and cling to you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
