Daily Light - June 22, 2011

Daily Light from the Lighthouse

"Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God,

and Him only you shall serve.'"

Matthew 4:10

The battle between good and evil is the staple of any good story whether it be in a novel or a movie. The struggle that takes place for the main character in his decision to do right or wrong is spell-binding. The forces on both sides are so powerful that it seems the tug of war for one's conscience will go on forever. What a riveting tale this is!

The temptation of Christ by Satan is no fairy tale. As Jesus began His earthly ministry Satan came to stop Him before He even started. Satan's weapon of choice was the ages old formula of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. This arsenal had worked well for thousands of years on humanity, so surely it would work well on God who had become man. It was pride that brought Satan from his place of habitation in the kingdom of God, and it was pride that he had used to bring others to his new habitation of hell. Surely there was no one that was not susceptible to this poison that naturally flows through man's fleshly veins.

Christ however was no man of the flesh. Although He had the form of man in the flesh and felt as man feels, He was completely divine. Even though He had fasted for forty days, Jesus did not need the filling of bread to satisfy His greatest hunger. He did not need to throw Himself down from a high place and test whether or not the Father would save Him from such a death. He didn't need the Father to prove Himself. As all of the kingdoms of the world lay before Jesus, Satan sought once again to be worshipped which is his greatest craving and desire. It is in this final temptation that we see the greatest calling for all mankind.

"You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve." There is no one else that deserves our praise, attention, glory, or adoration like our God. It has been placed within all of creation to glorify God. Even the heavens declare it. If man were to shut his mouth and never utter praise to the Most High, the very rocks would break forth in sound of His majesty. It is with our tongues and lives that we should be bringing God the glory for not simply what He has done but for Who He is. To give our ultimate glory and praise to any thing else is Satanic and condemning. Worship and service to God and Him alone should be the controlling force of our lives.

May you worship the LORD your God today!