Come, Worship, and Listen

Psalm 95

Many of us have had someone tell us that they have both good news and bad news to tell us.  Sometimes they will ask us which we want to hear first, the good news or the bad news.  Our psalm for today contains both some good news in the form of praise to the Lord, and then some bad news in the form of a warning to us from the Lord.  Let’s take a look at what God’s Word says to us today.

Psalm 95 can be divided into two very distinct parts.  The first part, verses 1-7a are a joyful and reverent call to worship the Lord.  The second part, verses 7b-11 is a solemn warning from the Lord for us to not harden our hearts against Him.

As we begin our look at the psalm, we are called to come and worship the Lord God, singing with joy, thanksgiving, and praise to Him (vs. 1-2), for He is the Rock of our salvation.  Yahweh is not an actual rock, of course, but He is like a rock.  A large rock is secure, and not likely to move, and similarly God is an unshakeable foundation for us.  One can find shelter from a storm behind a large rock, and also safety from attack.  God is our source of strength, refuge, and shelter in times of trouble.  He is constant, dependable, and will never fail.

We are called to actively direct our worship to the Lord, not to ourselves or to our emotions.  Joyful worship should not be irreverent, nor entertainment-driven, but instead be God-centered.  We are called to shout joyfully to the Lord.  This should not be done chaotically, but instead when we come into the Lord’s presence we should prepare our hearts to bring sincere and genuine praise rooted in truth.  Worship should not be casual.  It is holy and should be done with a reverent heart.

As we continue, we see that we should worship the Lord because of who He is (vs. 3-5).   He is great, far greater and above any of the false, so-called pagan gods.  He is the Creator of all, from the depths of the sea to the highest of mountains on dry land.  Yahweh is sovereign.  Everything belongs to Him for He created it all, and He rules over all.  God’s creation should stir our hearts with awe to praise and trust Him.

The next couple of verses call upon us to reverently submit to the Lord (vs. 6-7a).  Worship involves humility, which here is shown by bowing and kneeling before Yahweh.  This is a physical act, but it is more importantly a reverent heart attitude before Him.  True worship is not merely emotional expression.  It is submission to God’s authority.  We should bow our will, not just our knees.

Throughout Scripture God is frequently referred to as our Shepherd, and here in Psalm 95 we see one such reference (vs. 7a).  He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep.  This is covenant language, as He cares, guides, protects, and disciplines us, just as a shepherd does his sheep.  This is imagery that foreshadows the Lord Jesus, who is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16).

Now we come to the solemn warning from God to not harden our hearts against Him (vs. 7b-11).  This sudden shift is intentional, as worship without obedience is hypocrisy.  The rebellion, the trial in the wilderness that is referenced here, is the event that took place at Meribah and Massah in Exodus 17:1-7, where the people complained against God because of lack of water, where they had no faith in God or His goodness.  The Israelites tested God there, and refused to believe His promises.  God was grieved with that generation, and because of their unbelief, they were kept from entering into His “rest”, into the Promised Land.

This warning applies to us believers today, as we read in Hebrews 3:7 - 4:11.  Hardening of one’s heart is a progressive spiritual danger.  It doesn’t usually happen overnight, but happens gradually as we lose our spirit of thankfulness, trust, and faith in God.  The Lord takes unbelief seriously, even among His children.

An important word in our Scripture is the word “today”.  We need to respond to God’s Word today, not someday.  Don’t put off turning to the Lord for another day, because that day may never come.  We are never guaranteed tomorrow.  We must also make a concerted effort to guard against complaining, being spiritually apathetic, and delaying our obedience to the Lord.  Don’t harden your heart.  Instead, keep a soft heart, for a soft heart is a worshiping heart.

Is The Lord Among Us Or Not?

Exodus 17:1-7

Oh, how quickly we humans are to forget things!  I am not referring to anyone who might have some type of dementia.  That would be a legitimate excuse to forget some things that occurred just a few weeks earlier.  However, when folks with otherwise no memory problems conveniently forget some fantastic events and blessings in their lives, even becoming ill-tempered and ornery when similar situations arise, that is a problem.  Today’s Old Testament Scripture recounts just such an occurrence.  Let’s see what we can learn from God’s Word.

As our Scripture begins, the people of Israel had arrived at a place called Rephidim.  God had done a lot in their lives in the last few weeks.  First, He parted the waters of the Red Sea for them to cross and escape from Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14:10-31).  Then a few days later He turned the bitter waters at Marah sweet so they could drink (Exodus 15:22-25).  Then, a few days after that, God miraculously provided manna and quail for the people to eat (Exodus 16:11-15).  God was visibly, miraculously, and consistently providing for the people, yet in our Scripture today, just another few days later in Exodus 17, the people had forgotten and were full of unbelief, and were testing God.

In chapter 17, the Israelites were in the deserts of Rephidim and they were running low on water and were thirsty (vs. 1).  As they traveled towards the Promised Land, God had been leading them by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  It was no accident that they had arrived there, a place with no water, as it was the Lord who had led them there.  God often leads His people into situations where their faith must be exercised.  A Christian can be in the center of God’s will and still face hardships.  Obedience to the Lord does not always exempt us from facing trials.

When the people found no water there, rather than remembering all of the times God had previously provided for them, instead they were angry with Moses (vs. 2).  They quarreled against him, angrily complaining and striving with him.  They blamed Moses for this situation, demanding water, and not trusting God.  The people even went so far as to accuse Moses of bringing them to this place to kill them! (vs. 3).  They had so conveniently forgotten when God sent the plagues in Egypt, how not one of those fell on them, along with the deliverance at the Red Sea, and the manna they were still receiving.  How often when we face a dilemma in our path do we likewise forget all that the Lord has previously done for us, and start complaining, whining, and become filled with fear and worry?

So what did Moses do when the people started ganging up on him?  He did what the Israelites should have done at the beginning.  He turned to the Lord in prayer (vs. 4).  Moses cried out to Him, as the crowd was beyond angry and he rightly feared for his life.  The Lord then told him to go before the crowd, along with some of the elders, and to bring his rod.  He was to stand before a large rock and to strike that rock with his rod, and water would come forth (vs. 5-6).  God told Moses that He would be standing there with him before that rock.

This is a typology of the Lord Jesus, the Smitten Rock.  The Apostle Paul explicitly identified the rock as Jesus (I Corinthians 10:4).  The rock is Jesus Christ, the rod is the judgment of God.  Moses striking the rock is a picture of God pouring His wrath against sin upon Jesus while on the cross.  The water that came forth from the rock is a picture of the life-giving Holy Spirit and salvation that comes from Christ.  All spiritual life flows from the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Israel’s sin is summarized in one question “Is the Lord among us or not?” (vs. 7).  This was not a request for reassurance.  Instead it was a rebellious accusation.  They denied God’s presence despite overwhelming evidence.  They wanted proof of His presence on their terms, which is the opposite of faith.

Moses believed the Lord’s Word, obeyed Him, and struck the rock, and the water poured forth.  However, Israel would not consistently follow Moses’ example of faith (Hebrews 4:2).  Our life can be like an arid desert.  God, though, can quench our spiritual thirst.  When by faith we believe the promises of God’s Word, we can experience rivers of living water and grace for our daily needs.

Looking back over this Scripture, we can learn several things.  One, ending up at Rephidim was not a mistake.  Sometimes God will lead His people into trials.  Another lesson is that forgetfulness fuels unbelief.  We need to rehearse God’s faithfulness and remember His past mercies.  Complaining is a form of unbelief.  Grumbling is not a small sin.  It is a lack of faith in God’s love and His character. However, God’s grace will exceed our failures.  Israel deserved God’s judgment, but instead, He gave water. His grace triumphed.

There is Only One Way to Heaven

John 3:1-17

Today’s Scripture passage from this week’s Lectionary from the Book of Common Prayer contains one of the most well-known verses, and familiar passages of the Bible.  In this Scripture we read of the necessity of the new birth, the nature of saving faith, and the heart of God in sending His Son for our salvation.

As we begin, we read that a man named Nicodemus came to see Jesus one evening (vs. 1-2).  Nicodemus was a devout Pharisee who meticulously followed the Old Testament Law and religious rituals.  He was also a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish religious and legal court, which held some power under Roman occupation.  Nicodemus had heard Jesus preach and teach on several occasions, seen some of the miracles, and was interested in learning more, but because his peers within the Pharisees and Sanhedrin, he was afraid to do this publicly, so he came to Jesus at night.

Jesus welcomed Nicodemus and the two conversed.  However, Jesus made it clear right from the start that religious knowledge, moral living, and even respect for Himself was not the same as salvation.  People today, as well as back then, often think they are the same.  They believe that if they go to church, have a passing knowledge of the Bible or other religious writings, live a good moral life, and even hold Jesus in the highest regard, that this will get them to heaven.  As Jesus clearly states in our Scripture today, that is not the case!

Jesus doesn’t waste any time discussing nonessentials.  He comes right to the point immediately, and tells Nicodemus that he must be born again.  He needs salvation if he wants to see the Kingdom of God, to go to heaven (vs. 3).  Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus, thinking that He was somehow talking about physical birth, and how that could be at all possible (vs. 4).  Jesus was not talking about physical birth, but spiritual birth, one produced by the Holy Spirit (vs. 5-6).  He clearly stated that this is necessary for every person, regardless of their religious background.  It was necessary then, and it is necessary today.  People are not born again, or saved, because of who or what they are.  It doesn’t matter what religion one’s parents are, or how devoutly they practice any religious rituals.  One must be born again to get to heaven (vs. 7).

Being “born of water and the Spirit” (vs. 5), is not baptismal regeneration.  One is not born again because they have been baptized.  Any number of heinous criminals and dictators were baptized as babies, and they most probably were not saved.  Water refers to the cleansing work of the Word of God, as we read in Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Ephesians 5:26.  The Spirit refers to the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.  Being born again, or saved, is a supernatural act of God, not achieved by human effort.  When we are born again, we become children of the living God, and rightful heirs to every good thing that He has to offer.

Despite being a religious leader and teacher, Nicodemus still did not understand, and Jesus gently rebuked him (vs. 9-10).  The Old Testament had already promised a new heart and Spirit in those verses from Ezekiel mentioned above, but Nicodemus had missed the meaning of God’s promise.  Jesus then shifted from the new birth to the basis of salvation - that of His own person and work (vs. 13-15).  The Lord used as a reference the picture of when God sent fiery serpents as judgment on the Israelites, and the cure was to look at the image of a serpent Moses put on a pole (Numbers 21:4-9).  Israel was dying from these serpent bites, and God provided only one remedy - to look at the lifted-up serpent.  Those who looked lived.  This was an example of what Jesus would accomplish when He died on the cross.  The people couldn’t use whatever cure they wanted to make up.  They had to use God’s cure.  It is the same with salvation.  We can’t decide what sounds good by today’s modern standards.  We are only saved by God’s way.  Salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone.

Next comes one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, verses 16 and 17.  This is not a vague sentiment, but a purposeful, sacrificial love towards undeserving sinners.  God gave, not merely sent, His only begotten Son to die for sinners.  And no matter who you are, if you believe and put your faith in Jesus, you will receive eternal life.  The Gospel is rooted in God’s love, accomplished through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, and received by faith.

The Bible, and Jesus Himself, say that He is the only way of salvation (I John 5:11-12; John 14:6).  If you want to get to heaven, Jesus is the only One who can take you there.  We can trust God, because He has given us exactly what we need most - salvation.  He did not do this because He owed us anything, or because of any inherent good within us.  God saved us for one reason, and that is because of His all-surpassing love.

Works Versus Faith

Romans 4:1-17

Have you ever gotten a flyer in the mail saying to come by a store or showroom and receive a free gift.  Since often these things are not exactly as they seem, we might wonder if there is some catch.  Will we have to make a purchase, or sign up for some subscription, or watch some presentation in order to get the “free gift”, or are they being honest, and no purchase is necessary.  Just show up and get your gift.  People have wondered about that regarding salvation.  Is it really just believe and one is saved, or do we have to do all sorts of works in order to be saved?  All too often various groups have tried to teach that there are certain things one must do in order to be saved.  However, in our Scripture today we will see exactly what God has said in His Word about this matter.

As we open our Scripture, Paul gives us the example of the Patriarch Abraham for us to look at.  He is the most revered figure in Jewish history, and Paul uses him as an example to prove that faith, and not works, has always been God’s way of salvation, for if Abraham was justified by faith, then no one can claim salvation by keeping the Mosaic Law or any other type of works.

If Abraham, or any of us for that matter, were justified by our works, then we could boast about that (vs. 1-3).  One could brag that they went to church every time the doors were open, never missing a single time.  Another could brag about how much money they gave in the offering.  And another could brag how they never broke a single commandment in the Bible.  However, we cannot boast before God.  Abraham, our spiritual father, believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).  The word “accounted” in verse 3 in Greek is “logizomai”, and is an accounting term.  God credits righteousness to the believer’s account.  Justification is a legal declaration, not a reward.

As we continue, Paul contrasted two systems - those of works versus faith (vs. 4-5).  They are mutually exclusive.  Works are wages that are owed to you.  You worked for them.  Whereas faith is the righteousness credited to the ungodly without their having to work for it.  God justifies the ungodly, not the morally impressive.  This is the heart of the Gospel, that God saves sinners, not the self-righteous.

Paul then goes on to quote Psalm 32:1-2 where he states that God will forgive the sins of those who come to Him, and not impute, or put them on the account of that person.  Justification has two sides.  On the negative side, God removes the guilt of the sinner.  On the positive side, He imputes or credits the righteousness of Jesus to them.

In the days of the very early Church, there were some who went around teaching that one could not be genuinely saved unless they kept the Mosaic Law, particularly they stressed that of being circumcised.  Paul very clearly answers that argument by referring to when Abraham was justified, and that it was before he was circumcised by several years (vs. 9-12).  The ritual of circumcision was described in Genesis 17.  Abraham believed God and was justified by faith in Genesis 15, which is before chapter 17.  Circumcision did not contribute to his salvation, and we see that rituals cannot save.  Abraham is the father of all who believe - circumcised or not.  There is no religious ceremony, whether it is baptism, communion, or any other, that can justify us.  We should be baptized and receive communion, but they do not save us.

God made a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 17:4-6; Genesis 22:17).  This promise was not by keeping the Law of Moses, which was given over 400 years later.  This promise was given through the righteousness of faith that Abraham had.  If we had to keep the law, whether the Mosaic Law or any list of works that some denominations say we should keep, in order to be saved, then faith is void and God’s promises would be meaningless.  The Law reveals sin, but it cannot remove it.

Paul concludes that the promise is by faith, by grace, and it is certain (vs. 16-17).  If salvation depended on human performance, no one could be certain.  How would we know if we had done enough works?  Would it be one a day, ten a day?  However, because it depends on God’s grace, the promise is secure for both Jewish and Gentile believers.

So as we see through our Scripture today, justification is by faith alone.  Salvation has always been by grace through faith.  It has never been by works, rituals, or keeping the Mosaic Law.  Abraham was justified by faith apart from any works, and all who believe, whether Jewish or Gentile, are saved the same way.

Who to Trust in Uncertain Times

Psalm 33:12-22

All throughout history there has been fighting between people.  We see it between two individuals, between gangs and clans, all the way up to nations.  It has been said that since the beginning of recorded history there has not been any one period of time where there hasn’t been some type of fighting somewhere on earth.  If there was peace in one portion of the world, there was always some type of fighting going on somewhere else, even if it wasn’t officially declared a war.  Though many of us have never experienced a war of any level, some of you may have, and we can all imagine how terrifying and devastating it would be.  Who are you trusting at that time?  Your political leaders?  Your military generals, and the strength of your army?  Your underground bunker, or financial resources in order to make an escape?  Our Scripture today, from the second half of Psalm 33, directs us in whom we should trust when the world is blowing up around us.

As our Scripture opens, the author lets us know that those who trust in the Lord are blessed (vs. 12).  He speaks of the largest possible group, a nation, that if they trust in Yahweh, including following and obeying His Word, they will be blessed.  Perhaps there might have been some time in the past where possibly a nation, the majority of its people, trusted and followed Jesus, but I don’t think that is the case anywhere today. True national blessing is tied to acknowledging and honoring Yahweh as God.  Blessing is not rooted in political strength but in a relationship with God.  His people are His possession - chosen, loved, and protected.

As we read on, we are told that God sees and knows all (vs. 13-15).  He sees all - nothing is hidden from Him.  He also understands all, knowing every heart.  And He is the Creator and Judge of all.  Nations will rise and fall, but God alone rules.  This should be both comforting and convicting for us, as He knows our motives, our fears, and desires perfectly.  God knows where each of His children are, and what help they need.

Next we read something that everyone should take note of, and that is that no king is saved by his army, and that their military horse or their strength cannot deliver them (vs. 16-17).  No political leader, whether king, president, or prime minister, and the people of their nations, should trust in the size of their armies, nor in military weapons and equipment.  The psalmist reminds us that we are not delivered by any of that, whether it was a historic war horse or today’s most technically equipped fighter jets.  None of that can guarantee a victory.  Strength without God is vain, empty, powerless, and deceptive.  God resists the proud, those who trust in their own power, as the Apostle James tells us (James 4:6).

Our focus now shifts from the nations in general to the faithful remnant.  God has watchful care for those who fear Him (vs. 18-19).  God’s eye is on those who fear Him, who have reverence, and obey and trust His Word.  He will deliver them from death, and sustain them during famine.  This is not a promise of a trouble-free life, but of God’s faithful presence and preservation.  God’s care is personal, intentional, and is rooted in His covenant love.

So, if we shouldn’t put our trust in military leaders, armies, or equipment, who or what should we trust in to protect us in times of war and danger?  Who or what will protect us?  Our psalmist says that the Lord is our help and shield (vs. 20).  In ancient times a shield was necessary against swords and arrows.  Though today’s weapons are far more sophisticated and deadly, He still protects His children and those who trust in His Holy Name (vs. 21-22).

As this portion of Psalm 33 teaches us, God is sovereign.  He rules over nations and individuals.  Trusting in our national or personal strength apart from God is worthless.  In times of war and danger we should remember that God watches over and sustains the people who have put their trust in Him.  His mercy is the foundation of our hope.

In closing, as believers we need to remember to trust in God, rather than the resources of anyone or anything else.  God sees our heart, and He knows where we are, what is happening around us, and what we need.  The people of the world need to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, and that true blessings come from Him.  When circumstances feel uncertain, wait on the Lord, for He alone is our help and shield.

A Journey by Faith

Genesis 12:1-8

When some people travel, they like to be free, with little planning, just enjoying wherever the road takes them.  That’s not me!  Whenever I travel anywhere, I always like to have my route and destination completely mapped out ahead of time.  Back in the days when using paper maps was common, I studied them carefully, noting which roads to take, and each and every turn I had to make.  Nowadays I check the map online while my daughter, my faithful navigator, puts everything into her GPS on her phone which will tell me where to make my turns.  I don’t know if I would have done so well with what the Lord called Abram (later known as Abraham) to do.  Let’s take a look at what He called Abram to do.

As our Scripture opens, we read of God calling Abram to leave his extended family and the home that he had in the city of Haran.  Right prior to our passage, in the last few verses of chapter 11, we read that Abram’s elderly father had taken the whole extended family out of Ur of the Chaldees and moved northwest to Haran.  Ur was an ancient Sumerian city-state in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) near the mouth of the Euphrates River and the Persian Gulf. This was a very pagan culture, which worshipped the moon as its chief deity.  Haran was an ancient city in Upper Mesopotamia (present day Turkey), also along the Euphrates River, about 650 miles northwest of Ur.  After living in Haran for a number of years, God called Abram to pack up his belongings, take his wife, and leave (vs. 1).  God did not tell him where he was going to, just that He would show him the land He would give to his descendants.

God commanded Abram to “get out” (vs. 1).  This phrase was not a request or a suggestion.  It was a command.  Go!  Now!  Get up and move!  Abram, at age 75, was told to leave everything that he knew - his land, any business he may have had, his relatives, and his home, and he was obedient.  There were three layers of separation that Abram was called to make - from his country and the familiar culture of Ur and Haran, from his relatives and his family ties, and from his house, his earthly security.  God uprooted him from idolatry and set him apart for His purposes.  Separation unto God always involves separation from something else.

In verses 2 and 3 we read God’s promises to Abram, which form the core of the Abrahamic Covenant.  God promised to make him a great nation, which implies physical descendants which he currently had none of.  God promised to bless him and make his name great.  This was fulfilled both historically and spiritually.  Abram would be a blessing by becoming a channel of God’s grace.  God promised to protect him and his seed, and through him the world would be blessed, which was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus (Galatians 3:8, 16).  These promises are literal, unconditional, and everlasting.

Abram immediately obeyed the Lord (vs. 4-5).  He obeyed without knowing the destination (Hebrews 11:8).  God told him very little of where he was going, any description of the land, or how long it would take to get there.  He just told Abram to go, and his obedience was credited to him as faith.  Abram did not delay, and he left the comfort and security he had known, choosing faith and trust in God instead, solely relying on His Word.

Abram journeyed south of Haran, down to Shechem, which was in the hill country of Canaan (vs. 6-7).  This location was about 35 miles north of where Jerusalem would later be, a journey of about 45o miles from Haran.  Abram stopped at the plains of Moreh, where there were terebinth trees, a place associated with pagan Canaanite worship.  Here God repeats His promises to Abram, and the patriarch builds an altar to the Lord.

Worship was Abram’s first act in the promised land.  In faith he responded to God’s promise with worship, not in reliance upon himself.  Abram journeyed a bit further south, to a spot between Bethel and Ai, just west of the Jordan River, where he built another altar to God (vs. 8).  Not only were these altars that he built for his worship, but they were also public testimonies to the Canaanites, a witness to the one true God, Yahweh.

Abram was now living as a pilgrim (Hebrews 11:9-10), moving through the land God promised, but not yet possessing it.  His life is a pattern of faith, obedience, worship, and witness.  Obedience to God often requires us leaving our comfort zones.  It may disrupt our routines, our relationships, or our plans.  Faith trusts God’s promises, even when fulfillment seems distant, like it did for Abram.  And like Abram, worship should always be our first response throughout our life, bearing public testimony to God’s Name.  Remember, God’s promises are sure, even when circumstances seem contrary.

Stand on God's Word

Matthew 4:1-11

As humans, we all face temptations every day.  This included our Lord Jesus Christ while on earth, for though He was fully God, He was also fully man.  Satan delights when we give in to temptation and sin, and he would have loved to have seen Jesus give in to temptation, for then He would not have been sinless and able to redeem us.  In our Scripture today we will look at one specific time in particular when Satan came against Jesus with several temptations.  Let’s see how Jesus responded, and came out victorious.

As our Scripture opens, Jesus had just been baptized, and publicly identified as the beloved Son of God, and had been anointed by the Holy Spirit for His earthly ministry.  He was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness.  This was not by accident.  Temptation, in itself, is not a sin.  It is only when we fail and give in does the sin come.  This would be a demonstration of Jesus’ perfect obedience to the Father.

Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days, and was fasting and praying during that time (vs. 2).  By the end of that time He was naturally hungry, and Satan used that as an opportunity to attack.  Satan will often strike when we are physically or emotionally depleted.  He came to Jesus, tempting Him to change some of the stones into bread (vs. 3).  This temptation was to use divine power independently of the Father’s will.  Satan suggested a shortcut, to satisfy a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.

The Savior responded by coming against His adversary with Scripture (vs. 4).  He didn’t use His own power or wit.  Jesus confronted the devil with God’s Word, and only God’s Word.  He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3.  Obedience to God is more important than physical satisfaction.

Satan wasn’t going to give up, so he came at Jesus with another temptation (vs. 5-6).  Since Jesus had used the Bible, Satan tried to also use it in this temptation (Psalm 91:11-12).  He tempted Jesus to throw Himself from the Temple and command angels to catch Him.  However, he misused Scripture, trying to force God’s hand, demanding miraculous proof.  That is the sin of presumption, testing God rather than trusting Him.  Jesus responded again with Scripture, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16.  Scripture interprets Scripture.  One verse never contradicts another.

Satan often uses half-truths instead of outright lies.  He likes promoting just enough truth about God to appear Biblical, while denying the power of the Gospel to save and transform.  We see this frequently done by false teachers and preachers.  They like to twist Bible verses around and quoting it to suit their ungodly teachings, but never using the Scripture to teach salvation.  Faith does not manipulate God or His Word, but rather submits to Him.

The devil tried a third time with a temptation of offering the kingdoms of the world to Jesus (vs. 8-9).  Jesus will ultimately receive all the kingdoms of the earth, but Satan promised to give them to Him right then, without the cross, but only if He would worship him.  Again, Jesus responded with Scripture, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20.   This is the temptation of compromise: gain without suffering, glory without obedience.  The devil flashes newer, bigger, and seemingly better things of this world in front of us, trying to lure us into thinking we must have it, which leads to the worship of the god of this world, who is Satan (II Corinthians 4:4).  Worship belongs to God alone - no compromise, no negotiation.  Christ’s authority is absolute.  When Satan left, angels came to minister to Jesus (vs. 11).  God’s provision comes in God’s time.

Why was Jesus tempted?  By being tempted, He showed us that He was human, like us.  And by overcoming temptation, Jesus showed His ability to carry out His Father’s will.  Through His perfect obedience, Jesus will rescue us from the devil.  Jesus’ rejection of the devil’s temptations also provides us the perfect model for enduring temptations, which is using God’s Word against the devil.

Satan hates the Bible, which is why he tries so hard to destroy it.  He was repelled by the Word of God as he tempted Jesus.  It is our sword against him (Ephesians 6:17).  We can’t simply wave our Bible in the air, hoping to scare the devil away, and we can never defeat him in our own strength.  If we try he will surely give us a beat down.  To effectively defeat his lies, we need a good working knowledge of God’s Word, so that we can fight deception with truth, whatever the situation may be.  Stand firmly upon God’s written Word, as our Lord did when the devil tempted Him to yield to his deception.