God Is The Source of Our Strength 3
There are temptations in the life of every person who is old enough to know of sin and it’s destructive power. We have found out that sin shows no respect of persons, not even to our Lord. Knowing that the devil places the temptations of evil before us, and it is in order for that person to rebel against God. We stand in need of help that we might have the strength to overcome. Where could we go but to the Lord? It is stated of Him in the book of Hebrews: “For in that he Himself hath suffered being tempted He is able to succour them that are tempted”. (Heb.2:18). Therefore, we stand with the greatest of confidence that God is the source of our needed strength!
What comfort and strength comes at such a time to the person, when he sees that Jesus is able to sympathize because He has himself been thus tempted. Where did Christ go for His strength, and where can we go today to receive the strength to overcome the temptations to do evil? There is an answer, and the answer is given in the Bible where it reveals our great source of strength to win the victories. It is true that the devil tempted Christ by saying, and trying with all his might, to get Christ to give in to his evil propositions, one of which was to turn the stones into bread. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”. (Matt.4:4). Here Jesus reaches back to the word of God found in Deuteronomy 8:3, and that word was strong enough to defeat the devil in this temptation. However, the devil will try again and in another way. This time the evil one will use Scriptures. He wanted Jesus to prove Himself to be who He claimed to be and cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, and then used Psalms 91:11-12. We watch to see where Jesus will go and do to get the strength to overcome this temptation. Jesus went to the Scriptures again by stating; It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”. (Matt.4:7). Over and over we find Jesus going to the Scriptures, and it is there we shall find our great source of strength. You know what? It worked then and it will work today! The devil was defeated.
What a privilege to know that there is no temptation so great and depressing, or so harassing, but it can be a school of faith, as we turn to God and His blessed word. The devil is able to take the temptations he places before us and disfigures sin to make it look pleasant. Unless we continue our earthly journey by the instructions and daily help God gives through His Book divine, we shall be overcome with sin. However, we are encouraged, and for this reason, we can set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth”! (Col.3:2). We continue to sing; “Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort, strengthen, and keep you; He is willing to aid you, He will carry you thro.” Amen!
. . . . Fred House