Sustenance

January 17, 2024

Source of Sustenance – flesh vs spirit

sustenance /sŭs′tə-nəns/

noun

The supporting of life or health; maintenance or means of livelihood.

“The factory provides sustenance for half the town.”

Something, especially food, that sustains life or health.

“looking for sustenance in the kitchen.”

Something that sustains something else; essential support.

“researchers seeking financial sustenance.”


By the Spirit – Israel completely sustained through the wilderness

Nehemiah 9:19-21 (NKJV) 19 Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go. 20 You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell.


The Spirit can sustain the flesh, but not vice versa

Proverbs 18:14 (NKJV) 14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?


Exchange Required

Psalms 55:22 (NKJV) 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.


Where there is an exchange of flesh, there is an equipping of sustenance.

1 Kings 17:9-16 (HCSB) 9 “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” 10 So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow woman gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink." 11 As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I don't have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die." 13 Then Elijah said to her, “Don't be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, 14 for this is what the LORD God of Israel says, 'The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the surface of the land.” 15 So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. 16 The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the LORD He had spoken through Elijah.


Broken Spirit requires Strengthened Spirit

1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.


David’s building up of Spirit with words

Psalms 42:1-11 (TLB) 1 As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. Where can I find him to come and stand before him? 3 Day and night I weep for his help, and all the while my enemies taunt me. “Where is this God of yours?” they scoff. 4 (4-5) Take courage, my soul! Do you remember those times (but how could you ever forget them!) when you led a great procession to the Temple on festival days, singing with joy, praising the Lord? Why then be downcast? Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God! I shall yet praise him again. Yes, I shall again praise him for his help. 6 Yet I am standing here depressed and gloomy, but I will meditate upon your kindness to this lovely land where the Jordan River flows and where Mount Hermon and Mount Mizar stand. 7 All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. 8 Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me, and through the night I sing his songs and pray to God who gives me life. 9 “O God my Rock,” I cry, “why have you forsaken me? Why must I suffer these attacks from my enemies?” 10 Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound; again and again they scoff, “Where is that God of yours?” 11 But, O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!


The worship of God in the Spirit is the complete severing of flesh dependence/requirements

Philippians 3:3 (NLT) 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,


The building will come in exchange of the flesh for the gift of the Spirit.

Jude 1:20-21 (NKJV) 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.