E-Gene on 10 March 2005

Luke 4, Isaiah 7, 8

Scripture

Luke 4:2 For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.

Luke 4:13 That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside.

Observation

Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days in the desert and He did not waiver at all. I'm sure that it wasn't easy for Jesus to resist the temptation of the devil but He did and not only that, because He was able to resist the temptation, He returned to Galilee "powerful in the Spirit". How easy would it have been for Him to take what the devil was offering, but instead Jesus knew His purpose on this earth and He knew that He would not be fulfilling His purpose if He had taken the devil's bait.

Application

I find it really hard when I'm faced with temptation, but having read how Jesus was able to do it and come out from it stronger than before is a real encouragment to me. Sure, He is the Son of God but when He was on this earth, He was as human as I am. If I were to be out in His shoes, I wonder what my decision would have been.

So often we make decision based on personal gratification and we don't tend to look very long term at all. I realise that my time on this earth is only temporal and that the 50-70 years that I'm on this earth is nothin compared to eternity, so why am I making my decision based on what will profit me tomorrow?

In saying that I wonder how often I think about my purpose on this earth and how often do I make decisions based on that? Do I really want to live the rest of my limited time on this earth seeking personal gratification? I think not...

Prayer

Lord, I ask that each time I'm faced with temptations, that you give me the strength to turn away, cos I know that each time I'm able to say no, my Spirit grows stronger. I also know that each time I say yes to temptation, my Spirit grows weaker as well. Teach to listen to you and more important, teach me to follow you. Make my ears sensitive to your voice and my heart soft to be able to be shaped into your likeness. Fill this God-shaped hole in my heart as I continue to seek you.

Amen.