“And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:2-3).
Jesus did what few can do. He weakened Himself to be vulnerable. In His vulnerability, the devil came and tempted Jesus to misuse the power which was His. Misusing power, if even for a good reason, is a damning drug. Power corrupts. This is why Jesus has told us that all power belongs to Him. The only power which is ours is the power to become a child of the Heavenly Father.
Listen carefully to these words. You and I are not exempt, but we are tempted to think ourselves the exception. We have been, often are, and will be tempted. We will fall. But the grace of the Lord neither excuses us nor flees from us but is always with us so that we can stand up again and walk the path of faith. Do not seek power but seek the things of the Lord all the days of your life.
You are within me, Holy Spirit. Make me aware when I am being tempted so that I may listen to You and not the tempter. Most often I know what to do, but I am weak and do not do what I ought. Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to listen to You. Shield me so that I may not go beyond the place where I am able to endure. Lead me to walk in the light of Your word and resist the temptations that come my way. Amen.
