Blake Allen, Student and Outreach Minister, LHBC
John 4:14
“But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”
If you are into working out, fitness, or exercising, you may know a little bit about taking supplements. There are many benefits to taking supplements. For example, a pre-workout can boost energy and help with endurance during workouts. Many post-workout can help aid in muscle recovery and muscle building. But according to some health experts, they can also be a potential hindrance if not used or regulated properly.
I think the same can be said for supplements we use for our spiritual growth. When we talk about doing a daily devotional, we need to ensure the supplements we use to the word of God are just that, supplements. We must keep them in their proper place. They can be very helpful but also very distracting.
John tells us that the word of God is necessary to truly satisfy us. Every word from the mouth of God is important for us to observe. Only the word of God will endure all times. There is no other word that is more important or necessary for us to meditate on. There are no other books that contain the words of eternal life. There are no other stories, devos, commentaries that can compare to the word of God.
The words breathed out by God Himself are necessary for our spiritual walk. The word of God is living and active (Heb. 4:12). It is necessary for teaching, accountability, correcting, and training (2 Tim 3:16). It is our portion and our satisfaction (Matt 4:4). It guards our path and leads us in the right direction (Psalm 119:9). It reveals salvation God’s plan of salvation, and provides instructions of how to be saved (John 3:16; Rom 10:8-10; Eph 2:8-9).
At times, if we are not careful, we can treat the word of men and women more important than the word of God. Resources like New Morning Mercies, Jesus calling, Praying God’s Word, Embraced, My Utmost For His Highest, etc., are great supplements to our devotional times. But let’s not spend more time reading about the word of God than we do actually reading the word of God. I am reminded by this passage that only the Word of God can sustain us and fill us up. We must not let our supplements replace the main course. The word of God is the only thing sufficient for our spiritual nourishment.
We can use other resources to help us grow. I use commentaries, devos, books, etc., all the time. But let us remember that there is nothing that compares to drinking from the living water and being satisfied by Him alone. Let us value the words of God more than we value the words of Paul Tripp, Beth Moore, Pricilia Shirer, Joyce Myers, J.D. Greear, etc. These giants in the faith pale in comparison to the glory and wisdom of God.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, help us to keep you first in all things. Help us to find our satisfaction in you alone. Help us to draw from your word each and every day, knowing that your word provides the words of hope, life, and peace. In Jesus name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.