Devotional for the Week — 16 March 2009

Devotional For The Week—16 March 2009

Sermon Title: The Desert
Scripture Text: Luke 4:1-13

During this Lent season, let us reflect on Jesus’ 40-day experience in the desert. What comes to mind when we think of a desert? - Privation, lack, suffering, being out of one’s comfort zone?

In Luke 4:1-13, Jesus was tempted by Satan. We see in the devil’s temptations the same opposing voices we hear in the world today.

The Voices of Temptation

1. The Voice of Survival: God helps those who help themselves

First, there is the voice of survival. The devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." (Luke 4:3-4). The popular but misleading saying, God helps those who help themselves, implies: “If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will.” The world teaches us to first survive, and then serve. Let us protect ourselves first and turn stones into bread: our food, clothing, grades, profit and income.

Should man live by bread alone? God, our Creator, has something else in mind in Deuteronomy 8:3: “(God) humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

Believers need not to focus on self-survival. They are to rest in the Lord, learn to trust in and rely on Him for our provision and protection. Christ says He is the Bread of Life and gives our life-giving water to quench our thirst. He sustains, invigorates and strengthens us for each new day.

2. The Voice of Ambition: Be the best that you can be

Second, there is the voice of ambition. The devil said to Jesus: "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:6-7)

The world places great emphasis on success and achievement. Common marketplace beliefs are “Be the best that you can be”, “The results speak” or “The end justifies the means.” The chief preference is to live with minimal suffering or pain. Man aims to succeed by any means, resorting to quick and painless methods: cutting corners, lying, cheating, gambling or covering up misdeeds.

The Lord says in Deuteronomy 6:13: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” Let us strive not to serve our personal ambitions but worship God and draw closer to Him. Let us submit to God’s will and purpose; trust and obey the Holy Spirit. Let us unlearn our old ways and follow God’s ways, His agenda, process and timing.

3. The Voice of Religious Expectation: I need a God I can believe in

Third, there is voice of religious expectation. The devil said to Jesus: "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. (Luke 4:9-12) The devil tempted Jesus to practise a reckless spirituality: Jump! Go for the spectacular! Put God to the test! Show me, God!

Ironically in the Old Testament, the Israelites were witnesses to so many miracles of God, yet they constantly lived in doubt and faithlessness. God doesn’t need us to validate His greatness. Let us walk humbly, follow God, and wait patiently for His direction. God speaks; let us be open to listen, and not box Him up according to our expectations of what we want Him to be.

In conclusion, Deuteronomy 8:2 says: “Remember how the Lord led you all the way in the desert these 40 years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”

During this Lent season, let us intentionally strip ourselves of the physical comforts and securities that hold us back from experiencing God in the spiritual. Let us guard ourselves against the misleading voices of the wilderness. Instead, let us be humble and vulnerable before God and follow Him as He leads.

Prayer Response

Dear Lord Jesus, we want to be found faithful in our hearts. We resist the temptations that come our way. Self-survival, ambition and religious expectations do not build godly faith. We desire to come empty before You and wait upon You. We know You have the best plans for our lives. Direct us O Lord, for You are good and wise. Amen.

Devotional based on a message by Rev Lim Jen Huat

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