It is written

 Christ in all the scriptures

"Not by bread alone"  Deuteronomy 8v3

This chapter searches our innermost souls regarding our attitude to God and His word.  Jesus cited 8v3 in His own extremity of soul, during the temptation in the wilderness-Matthew 4v4; Luke 4v4.  

"It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God"-Matthew 4v4.

Confronting the arch enemy of humanity, it was after 40 days of fasting, when His body was crying out for food, that He cited this principle, that He would not even satisfy His hunger if there was no word from God to do so.  Even Satan admitted He could have turned the stones of the desert into life-preserving bread, but He refused for it was the temptation of the devil.  His devotion to the word of the Lord was more important than His necessary food.  Like Job of old, who, when faced with life extremities, declared this to his critics, "I have esteemed His word more than my necessary food"-Job23v12.  In John 4v31-34, the disciples were worried Jesus hadn't eaten because He was so involved in the preaching.  His reply was, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of...my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work".  God's work was more important than His bodily food.  

This is not to minimise our need for food, and a healthy body requires regular feeding.  Think about it, we eat on average three meals a day; we work to earn money to buy it; we spend time and effort to prepare it; we sit down to eat it; we wash up afterwards, all this more than once every day!  So this is a major part of life, and we are here comparing that to our daily devotion to God and His word.  I think that brings it into focus.

The chapter begins with, "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do...".  At the very least we should say that God's word is to become a major part of our lives, not only to know it, but to put it into practice.  When we do, we find that it is most satisfying to the soul, and develops character within us.  Remember what is written?  "Man shall live...by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God".  He says "all the commandments"..."every word of the Lord"; not just the ones that suit us, but also the ones that make character building demands.  

The word and the words of the Lord are revelations of Himself.  Our attitude to His word is our attitude to Him.  By the word of the Lord the entire creation exists ("...by the word of the Lord the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water"-2nd Peter 3v5).  By the word of the Lord the universe subsists, (holds together)"...upholding all things by the word of His power"-Hebrews 1v3).   By His word the universe will pass away ("...heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away"-Matthew 24v35).  His word is powerful, His word is eternal, His word is dependable: why would we not give heed to all of it for our good.  This text goes to the very foundation of our beings, our true devotion to God, and Christ is the supreme example.  What He means to us can be measured by our loyalty to His word.  

Devotion is one thing, but the bible also declares the desirability of the word of God.  Devotion is a duty, but desire kindled enriches lives.

"Thy word is a light unto my feet, and a lamp unto my path"-Psalm 119v105.

"More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb"-Psalm 19v10.  What is more valuable than silver or gold; what is sweeter than honey??

"The word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"-Hebrews 4v12.  His word has the ability, like nothing else, the power to transform lives from within, the power to change even me!

"Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces"-Jeremiah 23v29.  His word can reach the hardest heart.

"To this man will I look, saith the Lord, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word"-Isaiah 66v2.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple"-Psalm 19v7.

There is a balance to be found between our nourishment for the body, and feeding of the soul.  Material considerations are for the few years of life; soul transformation is for eternity Jesus put it beautifully in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6v33) "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (material things) shall be added unto you".  Our priority must be for the things of God, rather than the things of self.  If we put Him and His word at the forefront of our lives, He will make sure that all material needs are supplied.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme example, He said in John 10v17-18, He described His life as a sacrifice of obedience to the Father, "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power (authority) to lay it down, and I have power (authority) to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father".   Jesus was commanded by the Father to lay down His life, to yield to men who could have no power against Him.  He made the ultimate sacrifice in obedience to the Father; will we obey His word even if it means temporary loss?