Matthew 4:1-4 | 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
There are days, perhaps weeks and months, when we wonder if God is really listening. As we face the challenges in this life we may question if God really cares and understands our struggles. Before Jesus began his three-year journey on earth preaching and teaching, Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus out into the wilderness to experience temptation from the Satan. As man, Jesus fully understands our battle against the evil one.
In the face of hunger Jesus is tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread. Jesus does not give in, he boldly says to Satan, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” While food is a necessity in life, it is the Word of God that sustains us. Jesus did not exhibit his own glory by performing a miracle but displayed trust in the Word of His Father. We too are challenged to put our trust in God and his Word. At times he may put us to the test.
God understands our weakness and our inability to fight the temptations of the evil one. Our Father knows we cannot live as he desires, and we continue to fall short of his glory. Jesus came to forgive our shortfalls and gives us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives. God promises to give us all we need to fight temptation. In Christ we live on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take away the sins of the world and for giving us your Holy Spirit to help lead and guide our lives for you. Help us to fight temptation and seek your Word in all we say and do. Amen.
Action Plan:
Today I will put my trust in God in an area of weakness I face. Today I commit to seeking God’s help with…