September 29, 2024 Devo

The first temptation of Jesus is the most subtle. It is also the easiest to give in to. It’s the temptation to take things into our own hands rather than trust God to work, provide, or move. Jesus was in the wilderness at the invitation of His Father. It was a time of dependence, a time of testing, and time of fasting and praying. Since it was God who called Jesus to this time, it wasn’t over until GOD said it was over. Satan tried to quietly suggest to Jesus that He didn’t have to be hungry. We know from other miracles that the One who turned water into wine and multiplied the fishes and loaves could easily turn rocks into bread. “You don’t need to wait on God to end this fast,” the Devil suggested. “Make your own bread.”
This is the temptation that the Enemy hits us with all the time. He tries to get us to not wait on God. He wants us to take matters into our own hands. He tempts us to follow the path of OUR OWN choosing. His reasoning, of course, is that it’s not as if we’re doing something WRONG. Many times the things we’re doing are actually things we believe God WANTS us to do. We often don’t realize that doing God’s work out of our own strength really isn’t doing God’s work at all. It’s OUR work done OUR way.
It’s preaching sermons with clever titles and funny stories, but never really seeking God for what HE wants to say. It’s teaching classes or groups, utilizing great material and videos, but not taking time to pray for our students that their hearts will be open to hear God’s voice. And asking God to open OUR ears and hearts to hear what our students need. It’s making decisions that are important decisions, utilizing all the data that we have available. But not taking time to seek God’s wisdom knowing that He often has a different idea or a different approach. The subtle temptation that Satan offers is tempting to do “good stuff” that’s not necessarily “God stuff.” It’s the same temptation he offered Adam and Eve. Take your future in your own hands and be gods yourselves.
Please don’t blow by this thought today. I’m convinced that we often miss some of the best stuff in our lives that God wants to do simply because we take God’s work into our own hands. Our gifts, our talents, our hard work and effort are all wonderful things. But they’re not a replacement for God’s Spirit working in us and through us. Don’t give in to the Enemy’s subtle temptation. Even if you can turn rocks into bread. That’s God’s Word for you today.