Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 70

Matthew 4:1-11
Immediately following His baptism and beginning of His public ministry, we see Jesus tested! This is not uncommon. Perhaps Satan knows that we are vulnerable after high points in our lives. Jesus surely gives us a perfect example of how we should react when we are tempted. We know that the Father had already approved of Jesus, and so this testing was for our sake. He shows us the weapons we have to defeat Satan's attacks. What are these weapons?

• The Holy Spirit was with him. v. 1 
• The Word of God. 
• When tempted to work a miracle for His own needs, Jesus responded with "It is written:..." Jesus relied on the Father to supply His needs just as we do. vv 2-4
• Again, when Satan tempted Him to work a miracle basically for show, He responded, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" We are to believe God and take Him at His Word, and we are not to demand more "proof." vv 5-7
• Satan seemed to be appealing to Jesus' pride when he offered him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for Jesus bowing down to worship him. Actually, Satan is the "god" of this world for the time being though his days are numbered. Jesus does not "need" Satan's domain, and He would never worship him. Jesus answered him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" vv 8-10

"Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." v. 11

We must keep this weapon (Paul calls it the "sword of the spirit" in Ephesians 6:17) sharp and ready for whatever comes our way. It is God's very message to us, and we must not neglect it.

Psalm 70
Hurry, God, hurry! This psalm seems to be a desperate cry for help when God seems painfully slow to respond! See v. 1 and v. 5. David is like a little child trying to hurry his parent, and I'm afraid we all a lot like this!  May we never forget that God's timing is perfect! We should try not to fret or be anxious.
"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, 'Let God be exalted!'" v. 4

In all reality, we are helpless without God. "Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord do not delay." v. 5