Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Lent 2019 | страница 11

Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Mistrust?
Luke 4:9-13
This week, we have seen the crafty and cunning ways that Satan works. He will stop at nothing to get us to fall
into sin. He was just as relentless with Jesus. For his third temptation, Satan tried to beat Jesus at his own game
and use words of Scripture (Psalm 91) to trick Jesus. His argument was that if Jesus did not jump from the top
of the temple to the depths of Kidron Valley (approximately 450 feet down), he was showing a lack of trust in
God to protect him.
Of course, Jesus saw through this foolishness and used the words of Deuteronomy 6:16 to remind the devil
about the difference between testing and trusting God. What about you? Do you always see this difference in
your own life?
In his novel The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis emphasizes how he believed Satan works more through subtle
distrust than he does blatant disobedience. God said he will be with me always, so why do I feel so alone? God
said that I can do all things through him who gives me strength, so why is school such a challenge? God said to
ask and it shall be given, so why hasn’t he answered my prayer yet?
Recognize that thoughts like these are, first and foremost, misinterpretations of Scripture. Understanding the
power of God’s promises and the entire context of Bible passages is important. Additionally, they are
temptations designed to lead you to distrust God, his promises, and his providence in your life.
God does not have to prove anything to you, his creation, but he does. Despite your lack of trust, he time and
time again reminds you of His presence in your life; he helps you through all of your challenges; he answers your
prayers. But if you want to see the ultimate proof of God’s love in your life, look at Christ’s cross. Through his
perfect life, innocent death, and glorious victory, you can trust that Jesus trampled Satan! God gives you the
strength to trample all of your disobedient and distrusting temptations, as well!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I praise you for the lessons you taught me this week about the various kinds of
temptations I face. Forgive me for doubting and not trusting completely in you and your will for me. Remind
me to always pray “Thy will be done,” not “my will be done.” If it be your will, continue to shower me with
reminders of your love in my life. In your name I pray. Amen.
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