Matthew 4: 6-7 CEB
“Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.”
Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.”
Satan desired to induce Jesus. He challenged Jesus to apply to Himself the promises made to the Messiah...without abiding in the ways of God! Yet, Jesus had confident trust in God the Father. He was obedient to God in enduring the trials and temptations of His earthy life...because He trusted His Father completely.
Wow... How easily we can be induced...tempted beyond imagine to apply God’s promises to us...yet want to avoid the “cost” of abiding in the ways of God through trust. While we walk with God through life’s most difficult trials, heartaches and difficulties...God asks us to trust Him...to abide in Him. In doing these two things...trust and abide...He will ‘prove” to be trustworthy and faithful...He will deliver us through life’s most challenging and devastating circumstances. We will inherit the kingdom of God!
However, there is just this one thing...
In order for us to fulfill our purpose here on earth in the most life-changing way...we must be patient and we must be obedient to God’s will and timing...trust God and obey Him...and not follow our own strong desires and wants
The enemy would have us to test God (instead of relying on Him while walking in His ways) to see whether He might be trusted in our circumstance. These tests reveal our great need of confidence in God. Oh how we want to have confident trust that God will keep all His promises!
The world’s way (and our sinful nature) agree with Satan in saying there has to be an “easier path” to walk in this life. Satan desires for us as believers in Jesus to accept his offer of “having it all” right here and right now on earth!
We are offered ungodly means to gain a world. We are often tempted to accept what Satan offers us over what God promises us. Satan knows what to tempt us with... He proudly boast that if we bow to him he will offer in return a life full of good things and good times. He says we can avoid the pain this life brings... we can avoid the sacrifices...and especially avoid that path which God Himself is there...but is also full of troubles and heartaches.
Satan and his lies tell us we do not have to wait for the things that satisfy the body and mind... and that we do not have to endure hardships. To our starving hearts and spirits Satan tempts us to believe we don't have to wait on God's plan for our lives to be filled with everlasting joy. It sounds too good to be true...so we are tempted to avoid the "cost" of walking with God...but want the results from our lives to remain as if we did.
Jesus... He was offered by Satan a means to avoid the journey of the cross. Jesus’ response? He spoke God’s Word!
Jesus used for His guidance the part of the word which contains the divine injunction on this subject, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God".
Jesus used for His guidance the part of the word which contains the divine injunction on this subject, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God".
Jesus took His eyes and heart off of himself through God’s divine Word ...and placed it on the object of His heart... God Himself, His Father, desiring to glorify Him.
We can too... Like Jesus we can look at the value of an earthy gift ( home, car, job, money, family and friends) and see it’s true value as being a gift in the One who gave it to us... that is what God would have our hearts prize...Him alone! Glory!
Kathy
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