The King Comes Through His Word
Matthew 4:1-11
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the... Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
(John 14:25-26)
I remember when we returned home years ago to discover there had been a break-in. Words of Scripture came to mind: "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth... where thieves break in and steal."
Another time, I was troubled by past sin and the King spoke to me of His forgiveness in the words of Charles Wesley: "He breaks the power of cancelled sin...The humble poor believe."
When we were telephoned by the hospital at night with news that our 18 year old daughter had died, the words of Job came to me: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." The pain and shock were not lessened, but I knew that the Lord was with us in it all.
Many of you will have experienced the Lord coming to you in words of Scripture. In times of joy or of trial or when needing guidance, our King comes to us through His Word. As we hide it in our hearts, the Spirit comes to dwell there, reminds us of God's Word, and eases our troubled minds.
INSIGHT
Old Testament men of God used to build a pile of stones to commemorate the Lord's dealings with them. Let's remember His goodness to us, too.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Daniel 9-10
Proverbs 9
Hebrews 12
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]"
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]"
7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]"
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]"
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 4:1 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
b. Matthew 4:4 Deut. 8:3
c. Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12
d. Matthew 4:7 Deut. 6:16
e. Matthew 4:10 Deut. 6:13
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