Have you ever been hangry? It is a hungry feeling that develops a unique grumpiness until you finally eat, then all is well. Wikipedia definition is: han·gry (ˈhaNGɡrē) “bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.”
It is true that we allow our physical or emotional state to ‘get to’ us. We are tempted to react or even lash-out on others while in those states of distress or perceived distress. I am reminded of the temptation of Christ by Satan himself. It starts with Satan tempting Jesus with food: Matthew 4.3— And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Jesus answers with: Matthew 4.4— But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Famous passage that people often turn to for an example when dealing with temptation or loss of control of the situation. If Jesus answered this way, then shouldn’t we? To make sure we don’t misinterpret this…let’s see where Jesus is quoting from. This is from Deuteronomy 8. The quote is from verse 3 and in the middle of a history review by Moses. Deuteronomy 8.3— And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. The greater portion of the history lesson (Deuteronomy 8) shows us the nature of their problem… humility (vs.2,3,16). They received time and time again what they didn’t deserve, which is the definition of grace. Then they ungratefully complained. Once they complained, God still gave it to them which is mercy. They were in a situation of total dependence. They could not gather food, resources, buy clothing, or obtain work. They were fully and completely dependent upon God for life. So when God said “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live” He meant that literally. Every word (statement) that God makes, we live by. He said I will provide it, then He will. Once He does, we have a choice of thankfulness or become hangry and despondent over our circumstances. So when God said something to the effect, “I will provide”, they had to take Him at His word. The food was simply an illustration of life itself. That you would be humbled and dependent. He said that was why He did it in verses 2-3. They had made eating the big deal. It is a necessary substance, not doubt, but if you skip a meal you won’t die. Every time they got a little hungry they accused God’s man or God Himself of leading them out there to starve them to death. Drama! I think it would be fitting to place within a commentary over this passage— ‘save your drama for your llama’…but I digress.
God did this to teach them that their emotional and spiritual control is not found in their belly. God can and will sustain them. And so He did. They forgot that God did this to show them He is dependable and to teach them as verse 3 says— humility! They lost their humility and that is something God cannot tolerate. Proverbs 6 states the 7 things that God hates. Number one is…drum roll please…a prideful look. Pride blinds and pride deafens. Pride in a person makes them take control right out of God’s hands. Pride will not listen to God, His wisdom, His word, His counsel. Pride doesn’t allow a person to see themselves as God sees them. Pride in a person makes them see everyone else but themselves and immediately justifies all reasoning and excuses. Deuteronomy 8 is there for Moses to tell Israel that God is in control and has proven Himself time and time again. Why not trust Him?
You passed! That is what the new generation of Israelites are hearing. You didn’t walk off from God like your parents. Now you get to enter in the promised land. I mean your getting all of this stuff! A wonderful land full of blessings and crops, money, security, and it is awesome! But… beware that once you receive it, you don’t forget the lessons you learned about dependence.
Jesus used this in the same way. Satan is tempting Him like he did the nation of Israel. He put them in a hangry position and they chose to dwell on their irritability. Jesus was also placed in a tempting position by God. Matthew 4 and Luke 4 both record how it was the [Holy] Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. God is selecting the right place and the right time to make Himself shine in you and the devil is capitalizing on this moment, like any opportunistic would, and throwing down his worst upon you while your the weakest you’ve been in a while. Sound familiar? Jesus, unlike the Israelites, had his emotional and physical state dependent upon God. He simply told Satan— I will wait on God and let Him provide. Jesus said specifically: “man shall not live by bread alone”
The word “live” indicates survival. How many of you only eat to survive? Not many. In fact, we fair sumptuously. Living by every word of God means— waiting on Him, dependent upon His provision. As if we cannot live without Him. It’s a matter of survival spiritually and even at times physically. Are we living this life truly by faith? Are we aware of our desperate need of Him? Are we surrendered to true dependence upon God for every breath, thought, circumstance? Or do we say— “I got this”? Make sure today and every day we do not fall back in to the rote rut we have been in for so long. Instead, let us fall flat on our faces with humble dependence and not just lip service. Let us make minute-by-minuute determinations to wait on the provision of the Almighty King of all kings. That is what a disciple does.