The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Christopher Charles
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“‘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.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matt 4:6–7 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
After being baptized by John, the devil challenges and tempts Jesus to disregard God’s instructions. Jesus’ second temptation concerns making God prove that He will carry out His promise to protect Jesus from harm. The retelling of this episode is pertinent to our everyday lives, and its outcome encourages us to trust and obey God, whose grace is ever-present to help us resist our temptations.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
In this Scripture passage, Jesus responds to Satan’s advances by referring to God’s written instructions. Through Moses, God commanded the Israelites not to test Him, as they did at Massah, by grumbling and quarreling for water to satisfy their thirst (Deut 6:16; cf. Exod 17:1–7). Being aware of this, Jesus follows God’s command and does not throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple to force God to save him from physical harm. He is already confident that God is pleased with him (Matt 3:17), and he knows that God has instructed Israel to love Him and obey His commandments (Deut 5:10)—a foundational instruction in Scripture (e.g., Deut 27:10; 28:1–2; 30:9–10). God loves those who obey Him, and He promises to make His home with them (John 14:23). As God’s children, we must not merely listen to His Word and deceive ourselves, but we must be doers of His Word (Jas 1:22). Jesus understands that he must obey God absolutely, and this conviction strengthens his resolve in the face of overwhelming adversity.
EXHORTATION
Jesus exhibits obedience to God and trust in God. Let us, therefore, follow his example and trust God to care for our needs. We must not put God to the test to make Him prove that He loves us. Obeying God’s commands assures us of living the kind of life that He intends for us. Let us walk in obedience to the Lord’s commands so that we may live and prosper and prolong our days (Deut 5:33).
PRAYER
Father, Your Son has demonstrated that regardless of the adversity we face, we must trust You to always act in our best interest. Give us the strength to believe and trust rather than question You. Lord, regardless of what or who tempts us to go astray, we depend on You, our Shepherd, to guide us back to Your flock. Be with us as we walk. Forgive us when we slip, and strengthen us to live by Your Word. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Amen.