I Have Treasured the Words of His Mouth More Than My Necessary Food

by esther phinias | 27 August 2022 08:46 pm08

 

(Job 23:12, NKJV)

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

These words, spoken by Job, reflect the posture of a heart fully devoted to God. Job is not simply expressing his obedience; he is revealing the priority he places on God’s Word—elevating it even above his basic human need for food. This is no small statement. It’s a declaration of spiritual hunger that surpasses physical appetite.

Job’s deep reverence for God’s Word gives us a glimpse into why God Himself described Job as “blameless and upright, and one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:1, NKJV). His spiritual discipline and integrity were rooted not in tradition or ritual, but in personal devotion and reverence for God’s revealed will.

Spiritual Appetite Above Physical Needs

In a world driven by material pursuit, Job’s example is countercultural. The natural instinct of man, as Jesus acknowledges in Matthew 6:31–32, is to worry about “what shall we eat?” or “what shall we drink?” Yet Job testifies that his deepest need was not bread, but God’s Word—an attitude echoed in Deuteronomy 8:3 and affirmed by Jesus during His wilderness temptation:

Man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

(Deuteronomy 8:3, NKJV; quoted by Jesus in Matthew 4:4)

Jesus Himself modeled this when His disciples urged Him to eat, and He replied:

My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

(John 4:34, NKJV)

This profound statement reveals that obedience to the Father was Christ’s true nourishment. It is the same spiritual hunger that drove Job to seek God not for blessings, but for relationship, reverence, and righteousness.

A Life of Spiritual Watchfulness and Integrity

Job’s life was marked by consistent spiritual discipline. He offered sacrifices not only for his own sins, but also as intercession for his children:

“Thus Job did regularly.”

(Job 1:5, NKJV)

This habit shows a man who did not merely react to life’s events, but anticipated spiritual consequences and acted proactively. He also made a covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1), lived justly toward the poor and needy (Job 31:16–22), and refused to let evil settle in his heart.

These weren’t random acts of kindness—they were the fruit of a life grounded in the fear of the Lord and rooted in God’s truth. Job teaches us that righteousness is not just about avoiding sin, but actively pursuing God’s heart.

The Call to All Believers

The Bible never identifies Job as a Jew, a prophet, or a priest. Instead, he is described simply as “a man” from Uz (Job 1:1). This reminds us that intimacy with God is not reserved for spiritual elites. Job’s story shows that anyone—regardless of title or background—can live a life that honors God deeply and authentically.

As believers under the New Covenant, we are even more privileged. We have access to the full revelation of God through Scripture and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His followers:

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

(John 8:31–32, NKJV)

And again:

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

(John 14:23, NKJV)

We are called to make the Word of God our home, just as Job did—treasuring it more than comfort, reputation, or even our daily sustenance.

Living Watchfully and Prayerfully

Jesus taught that spiritual alertness and prayer are essential for those who follow Him:

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

(Matthew 26:41, NKJV)

If we forget this command, we risk becoming spiritually dull—more aware of mealtimes than moments of prayer. But when our hunger for God outweighs our hunger for food, we begin to walk in the footsteps of those like Job, Daniel, and Paul—people who knew the cost and joy of spiritual discipline.

Forgiveness: A Core Command of Christ

Another test of spiritual maturity is found in how we forgive. Jesus taught clearly:

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:14–15, NKJV)

Forgiveness is not optional—it’s a command. It reflects our understanding of God’s grace. As Paul urges in Ephesians 4:32:

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

No matter how many times we’ve been hurt, robbed, or mistreated, we are called to remember Jesus’ words: “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22, NKJV)

God is Watching for the Devoted

The life of Job assures us that God sees and honors those who are fully committed to Him:

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

(2 Chronicles 16:9, NKJV)

May we be found among those whose hearts are loyal—those who value God’s Word above all else, and live each day seeking to fulfill His will.

May the Lord strengthen us to hunger for Him more than for food, and to treasure His Word above all things.

Shalom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/08/27/i-have-treasured-the-words-of-his-mouth-more-than-my-necessary-food/

---