"This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Genesis 2:7-17, 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 130
The number 40 in the Bible is associated with great trial or testing.
Forty days and forty nights of rain ushered in the worldwide flood of
Noah's day. Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. Israel
wondered for 40 years in the wilderness. Elijah waited 40 days and
nights in the same wilderness to hear the whisper of God. The apostles
had 40 days after Easter to absorb the reality of the resurrection
before Christ ascended.
Jesus fasted 40 days and nights before this duel in the desert. The temptations that the devil sets before Christ are real and . . .
"This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Genesis 2:7-17, 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 130
The number 40 in the Bible is associated with great trial or testing. Forty days and forty nights of rain ushered in the worldwide flood of Noah's day. Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. Israel wondered for 40 years in the wilderness. Elijah waited 40 days and nights in the same wilderness to hear the whisper of God. The apostles had 40 days after Easter to absorb the reality of the resurrection before Christ ascended.
Jesus fasted 40 days and nights before this duel in the desert. The temptations that the devil sets before Christ are real and came when He is tired and hungry. These temptations proceed from without, for Christ has no sinful nature as we do. We cannot imagine being tempted without at least entertaining lust, hatred, and greed.
Most important, Jesus was tempted in our place. He willingly followed the lead of His Father's Holy Spirit into the wilderness to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus not only died for us, but He also lived the life we have failed to live. He kept the commandments we have failed to keep.
Christian friends, Christ stayed tuned to God's own voice as the tempter went after Him. His staying power is God's Word to empower us to do the same in our own lives.
The devil's tactic is surprise,
He'll stop you in your tracks;
So keep on guard and trust God's Word,
Resist His strong attacks.
PRAY - LORD Jesus, during this Lenten season, renew my faith that You have done for me what I could not do for myself. Amen