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Satan's Wilderness Attacks
Brian Mashburn
November 8, 2009
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Satan's Wilderness Attacks
God has led Jesus into what would be a trying experience for anyone. Imagine not seeing another human for 40 days. Not having any food the whole time. No man-made shelter, no conveniences, totally exposed to the elements. How many times did it rain on him? How many times was it followed up by a cold desert night? Some of you can't even sleep without your TV on, and he had no man-made stimulation for over a month. At the end, he's hungry, exhausted, dirty, more than a little scared at what God's been telling him about his mission. And it is at this lowest point of his life thus far that, you guessed it, Satan himself shows up.
This isn't accidental. This isn't simply because the Enemy knows his best success rate at tempting people comes when they are at their lowest. God orchestrated this. Why? What possible loving reason is there for that?
Today, we'll take a look at this most intriguing of questions. Why was Jesus "led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil." (Mt 4:1)
In the meantime, here are the three texts that I have challenged us all to memorize. Remember, these are the texts that Jesus had memorized and chose, above all others, to defend his heart. And evidently, they served as a major part of an effective counterattack against temptation at this most desperate hour.
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Mt 4:4)
"Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Mt 4:7)
"Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Mt 4:10)
I'd like us to do two things this month: one I will do for you, but the other, no one can do for you. I will go back into Deuteronomy, where these texts are found, and research why Jesus felt they contained the power he needed in the wilderness. But I can't memorize them for you so that you have them when you need them. You have to do that.
Let us all be prepared, like Jesus was prepared, to survive the wilderness challenges of our lives, and successfully receive the blessings that God puts us there for in the first place.