“…Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.“ (Matt. 4:1) [Jesus now goes into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, but the devil is quite baffled in his temptations, because Jesus uses only the Word of God as His very powerful weapon; and our Lord Jesus comes off a Conqueror, and so secures not only comfort, but conquest at last, to all his faithful followers!] “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.“ (Matt. 4:2) [What was the purpose of this fast? To give Jesus victory, demonstrating to us the importance and the necessity of fasting!] “But WHEN YOU FAST, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but ONLY TO YOUR FATHER, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, WILL REWARD YOU.” (Matt. 6:17-18) [Jesus teaches us by demonstrating fasting and the victory it brings!!] “The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.'” (Matt. 4:3-4) [As Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…] “Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.” “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (Matt. 4:5-7) [The devil knows the scripture as well, but he uses it try to deceive us!] “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matt. 4:8-10) [Isn’t that why Jesus came? NO! He came to seek and save the lost…So you see who the devil is:] “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corin. 4:4) [The devil had the authority to make the offer to Jesus “All this I will give you if…] “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and SERVE HIM ONLY.'” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him [Jesus].” (Matt. 4:10-11)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE HAVE THE POWER TO WORSHIP THE LORD OUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY!
-Bill Stockham