All in Good Time

Matt 4:5 “Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.”  Jesus’ first temptation was physical.  He was tempted to meet his physical need by turning the stones into bread.  His second temptation was spiritual.  Jesus had demonstrated his trust in God by not being tempted.  Now the enemy uses that trust to tempt Jesus to jump.  I’ve included a picture I took while in Israel of the pinnacle at the temple.  You’ll notice the court yard where worshipers would be present.  The devil wanted Jesus to perform this act of trust in front of the assembled people.  Casting himself down would be a sign to the nationalists in fulfillment of certain messianic expectations.  The temptation was to assume his role as a Davidic Savior-Messiah.  Jesus was being tempted to force the hand of God.  When we have those spiritual victories and feel like we can do anything for God we need to make sure we’re doing it for God and not for our publicity.  The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in each of us as believers, but we must use that power in accordance with God’s will and not to put him to the test.  Sometimes something may seem like the right thing to do, but in actuality we are trying to make something happen.

Do I trust God to move in His time and for His purposes or am I trying to force His hand?

Am I willing to be patient and wait upon God or do I need to see Him at work right now?

Lord, forgive me for sometimes trying to make things happen rather than trusting you and waiting.  Give me the discernment I need to hear your voice and to know when to move and when to wait.  I trust you Lord! Amen.