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I was struck rereading this familiar passage in Matthew 4 this morning. This is the passage where Jesus is tempted multiple times by the deceiver.
Here we have Jesus, the author of goodness, beauty and truth being tempted by Satan with what he tries to sell as much better.
Satan says, “You can have all of this if you will just worship me.”
I don’t know why that struck me as funny, but think about it. Isn’t that just like the enemy in his deceiving ways? Jesus already had all He ever needed from God and the enemy still tried to convince Him in His struggles that it wasn’t enough, and that he had something better for Jesus.
What was Jesus’ response?
“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (v.10)
Jesus’ response to the temptation was to worship God.
This reminds me of the old song, by Michael O’Brien “Crown Him”
“When you’re up against the struggles that shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes.
And you feel the urge within you, to submit to earthly fears,
Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him.
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise.
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you.
Serve only to remind you
They drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him.”
The enemy may be trying to offer you something that promises to be better than what God has to offer.
Don’t forget that what the enemy is offering you can’t even come close to what Jesus offers you.
Let’s make our response today be to praise Jesus, the only One who can satisfy our every need.
Praise God in your struggles. He can work through those who praise Him.
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