From Good Morning, Lord, by Sheila Walsh
Today I will model my responses to Satan’s temptations after Jesus’ perfect examples: “God is my provider. I will not take the easy way out. I will not seek the spectacular; I will seek God’s face.”
Satan tempted Jesus three times, and the third time he encouraged Jesus to show off his Sonship, to opt for style over substance, to choose spectacle over obedience. “Wouldn’t it be quite the display of divinity,” Satan suggested to Jesus, “to throw yourself down from the top of the temple and have God’s angels catch you before you hit the ground?” Knowing that God wasn’t at his beck and call to respond to unwise and risky behavior, Jesus refused to go along with the enemy’s idea. Jesus stood strong against the Deceiver.
Satan can and will test us in many ways just as he tested the Son of God. We can give in. We can desire what we don’t have. We can want glory without suffering. Or we can look to Jesus, who modeled for us perfect responses for encounters with Satan: “God is my provider. . . . I will not take the easy way out. . . . I will not seek the spectacular; I will seek God’s face.” Whatever situation you are facing right now, know that Jesus left his footprints in the desert sand for you to follow. Also, keep in mind that whatever Satan tempts us with is never what we are really longing for. What he offers may appear to meet a need at the moment, but he will just take us deeper into the wilderness. Following Christ’s steps keeps us close to the heart of God.
“God is my provider. . . . I will not take the easy way out. . . . I will not seek the spectacular; I will seek God’s face.” May these statements keep me strong just as they kept you strong in the wilderness, Lord Jesus!
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. —James 4:8
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