Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Matthew 4:4
“It looks to be a bumpy ride ahead and we will be keeping the seat belt sign on for the duration of the flight.”
This was not the news this anxious flier wanted to hear as we sat on the tarmac, waiting to push from the gate. Using whatever data he had, the pilot summarized what the flight ahead would look like. It’s in moments like these that I wish I had the superpower to snap my fingers to relocate to any place I wanted. But the Lord has yet to bless me with such powers so I made a choice that completely transformed my flight experience. In that moment I chose to abide in what God’s word says versus dwelling on what others say.
Living on God’s word
As Jesus sat hungry in the wilderness after fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was met by the devil who chose to use Jesus’ vulnerable state to tempt him. Jesus’ response was to counteract the temptation with the word of God. He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3: “… man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” A fitting scripture to refocus on the truth of who Jesus’ True Provider was while he lived here on earth. Jesus continued this pattern of quoting the word of God back to the devil for every temptation that was presented to Him.
Transforms our perspective
God’s word is full of reminders for us about who He is and what He can do. It is a treasure trove waiting to be unearthed and used to help us especially when we find ourselves in situations that are uncomfortable, difficult or tempting. Reflecting on what God’s word says can transform our perspective of the situation in front of us. Instead of seeing the magnitude of our problems, we are shown that God is sovereign, almighty, all-knowing, all-present, faithful, gracious, merciful. We are reminded that He can part the seas, rain bread from heaven, bring water from a rock, heal the sick, bring the dead back alive and redeem us from our sin. We are encouraged to see Him as our Provider, Sustainer, Helper, Protector, Guide, Savior, Redeemer.
Bold prayers and new outcomes
Perspectives change when we live on what the word of God says versus what others say. I also know firsthand that outcomes can be altered when we place greater weight on what God’s word says over others. As mentioned earlier, my recent flying experience was transformed when I chose to focus on God’s word. When the pilot warned us about the turbulence we would experience, I recalled from the word of God how Jesus showed that He is the One in control of things such as the wind and the waves.
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4: 37 - 41
Even the wind and the waves obey him! Instead of worrying about the upcoming bumpy flight, I started praying for the Lord to show me that He is indeed the Master of the wind who has to obey Him when He says be still! Yes, I prayed this bold prayer for Jesus to show me that this is who He says He is! Every time we experienced the beginning of a bumpy patch and the seat belt sign would come on, I would pray this bold prayer. And, yes the Lord showed me exactly who He is on that flight. Every time I would pray about the turbulence, it stopped! This happened a few times on the flight and by the end of the five hour voyage, the seat belt sign remained off for the majority of the trip! We never experienced the turbulent flight the pilot predicted we would have.
Accomplishes His desires and achieves His purposes
Bypassing the pilot’s words and looking to God’s word, not only changed my perspective about the flight ahead but also the outcome. As the Holy Spirit brought this passage about Jesus being in charge of the wind and the waves to my mind, I invited Jesus to show up just like He did on that boat with His disciples. Many see the Bible as a historical read to gain knowledge and fail to see the life that it possesses “for the word of God is alive and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12). It has the ability to meet us right where we are, giving us the right word at the right time. On that flight, the word of God showed me just how alive and powerful it truly is. That day God’s promise found in Isaiah 55 became real to me:
... so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
Choosing to live off His words rather than human words, accomplished what He desired for my life and brought forth the purpose for which He sent it: to know more intimately the One True Living God and experience more of the abundant life that comes through Jesus Christ. He longs to do the same for you!
Considerations 