Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
The most common breads of ancient Israel were barley or wheat breads. The grains were ground at home and the fine flour was rolled into flat breads, wafers, sourdough bread or thick-loafs. Barley bread was the staple food of the impoverished, while wheat bread was consumed by the wealthy. Bread played an important role in their offerings, rituals and religious festivals.
For forty years in the wilderness the Lord God provided them with the bread from heaven, “manna”. Hence when Jesus said, “I am the living bread because I came down from heaven” (John 6:35), His audience had a visual understanding of what He meant. Peter confirmed the discourse by declaring, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” (John 6:68).
Jesus is the Word and the Word is our daily bread of sustenance. While health professionals advise us to be mindful of the portion size of bread consumption, we can never overeat the Bread of Life! As soon as we read/(eat) the Bread of Life, it turns into strength to our spirit, nourishment to our bones and healing to our body. However, God’s Word becomes a life-giving protein boost only to those who find it. We will discover the wealth of wisdom, power of healing and purpose for our existence when we search, research and read it passionately.
The Daily Bread of Life:
1. Read: The simple rule is that we must read the Bible the same number of times we eat our meals. “Feed your spirit when you feed your stomach”. Reading the Word of God is not a ritual. We must devour God’s Word just like enjoying delicious hot bread-rolls from the oven. Read until you are full and until it speaks to you personally.
2. Research: “Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail” (Isaiah 34:16). Searching and researching God’s Word will enlighten us with God’s will and God’s ways.
3. Retain: God’s Word will become life and wisdom when we retain the scriptures by meditating, memorizing and mulling over it, day and night.
Paradoxically, over-eating the Bread of Life makes us spiritually fit!
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, the Bread of Life, give me the appetite to devour and cherish your life-giving Word. Amen.
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