TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10
Listen: Matthew 4
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The similarity between Jesus’ wilderness experience and Israel’s is striking. Both are weary and hungry. Both also wait for God’s purpose and plan to unfold. But the similarity stops there. The first thing the Israelites do when their patience runs out is to build themselves a golden calf to worship.
Satan tempts Jesus by showing him all the kingdoms of the world. He tells him, “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus responds, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” There is no way Jesus will replace God with anyone or anything else.
The history of Israel and God is tragic. His people continuously turn away from him to idols. Pastor and author Tim Keller defines our idols as those things we tell ourselves, “If I have that, then I will feel like my life has meaning. Then I’ll know I have value. And I’ll feel significant and secure.”
Sadly, we tend to be like Israel. We let other “gods” get our attention and soon become more significant than God himself. Jesus shows us that love and devotion to God is possible when we refuse to replace him with other things.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Listen to “Build my Life” by Passion and commit to building your life on the foundation of God alone.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
