"Tempted" January 4 Readings: Genesis 8-10, Matthew 4, Psalm 3, Proverbs 1:8-9

 

 Through the Bible in 2021

Bible Readings: Genesis 8-10, Matthew 4, Psalm 3, Proverbs 1:8-9

Daily Devotional: Tempted

It was only two days ago that we read of the tragic fall of Adam and Eve into sin in Genesis 3, where they chose to rebel against God and listen to Satan's lies. Today we read Matthew 4 and we see what happened when Satan brought all of his craftiness to bear against Jesus Christ. The outcome of this confrontation in the wilderness was very different from the one in the Garden.

In the Garden, Satan convinced Adam and Eve that God's Word was not true or trustworthy. In the wilderness, Jesus exposed his life and magnified the God of Truth, testifying that the Word of God was the source of life, better even than bread he could create from stones with his power. 

In the Garden, Satan told Adam and Eve that they needed to go out on their own to find the most out of life. Only through disobedience could they become "like gods" - reaching their full potential. But Jesus would not glorify himself and refused to "put the Lord to the test." He was focused on God's glory, not his own. 

In the Garden, Adam and Eve chose to give up all that God had given them to go their own way, but in the wilderness, Jesus told Satan to leave, because he was going to worship the Lord and serve him only. With the word of God, our Savior sent the devil running. 

The garden was the beginning of sin, but the wilderness was the beginning of the end of Satan. In that cosmic confrontation, Jesus did what we could not; he said no to sin. Because of that, he was the pure and sinless Lamb of God who could die for our sins instead of his own. And now he lives to not only wash away our sins but to free us from their power over our lives. Because of what Jesus did in the wilderness, he could go to the cross for us. Because he went to cross for us we can be freed from slavery to sin.

It is the ultimate tragedy of my life (and perhaps yours) that we spend so much time wallowing in the sin Jesus died to free us of. Those of us who have been redeemed and forgiven have the power of Christ to say no to temptation as he did that day. 

I have failed so often I sometimes want to give up. I have followed the example of the first human pair more times than I can count. But Jesus defeated my enemy and now through his amazing work of grace I have victory instead of defeat, power to overcome my weakness - all the resources of God. 

Life can seem overwhelming, even crushing at times. But remember this, the one who stood strong against all that Satan could throw at him dwells within us and by the Spirit empowers us to stand. Do not lose heart or grow faint. There is power. There is strength. Defeat is never final and sin never has the last word in the life of God's saints. 

Father, we thank you that our Savior was the Victor over the one who defeated us. We will rely on your power and grace every step of the way. May this year be one in which we are "more than conquerors" through Christ and his work in us. 

Consider God's Word:

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Remember that you, as one who has been redeemed, have the strength of Jesus against temptation. His forgiveness washes away your sins and his power strengthens you against sin.