Thought For Today - January 31 - Yield Not To Temptation!

Thought For Today - January 31 

Yield Not To Temptation!

     "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit  into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil." Matthew 4:1.
     Sometimes we find ourselves all alone in a spiritual wilderness.  This is where and when the devil attacts us and we face temptations.  We hunger and thirst after God.
     Jesus was alone in the wilderness immediately after he had been baptized by John in the Jordan River, and he had fasted for forty days and was hungry.  Satan seized upon this  opportunity to tempt him to sin by suggesting that he use his divine power to satisfy his own physical needs and desires, but Jesus answer was that feasting on the word of God and obeying God was more needful and profitable than satisfying the lusts of the flesh.  Man needs more than physical food, clothing, and shelter for survival..  He needs to absorb  every word of God into his heart and mind.  
     When Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread, his answer was - "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4: 4.
     Sometimes, perhaps, God may temporarily withdraw himself from us and leave us for a time in a dry, lonely spiritual condition, a spiritual wilderness to test our spiritual character, and to let us see our own weakness and need, and dependency on  him.  We need to be aware that at such times as these, when we are wandering alone in a spiritual wilderness, far from God, our adversary the devil seeks us out to destroy us, and to draw us further away from communion with God.
     Let us be wise as serpents, and be aware when our enemy is seeking to destroy us, and as Jesus did, use the weapon of our warfare to defeat Satan, and restore our communion and fellowship with God our Father through Christ.
     Satan is no match for the pure word of God, so, let us proclaim as Jesus did: "Get thee hence Satan, for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10..
     When we find ourselves alone in the wilderness, let us remember that God has promised to hear our faintest  prayer.  Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

Robert A. Searles
Posted by Telehelp Publications