Power and Weakness

I have been reading this passage this morning and was struck once again by the cowardice of the enemy. Jesus hadn’t eaten a thing for forty days and nights at this point. He was evidently at a low point in ‘flesh’ terms. This is when satan comes crawling out of the woodwork and tries to tempt Jesus.

To try and attack someone when they are at their absolute weakest doesn’t make you strong. In fact, it makes you weaker than your victim.

This illustration should give us confidence for the trials and difficulties we are facing. Yes, we are weak and yes, we are struggling, but the Word of God is everlasting and has power and dominion over the things of this world. Notice Jesus’ response in the passage; He starts with “It is written”. He doesn’t try and come at the devil with some eloquent or witty response, (nor does He say what I would at this stage- “I’m God, are we really going to do this?”) His reliance in this time of weakness and temptation is to quote scripture (from Deuteronomy 8:3). The enemy is no match for the Word of God. For it is living and active and sharper than any double edged sword!

Perhaps we’re not in a position to speak to the enemy face to face. But in prayer, we are able to break the chains he tries to place on our lives in order to limit us and inevitably prevent us from being productive in God’s work. A good promise to pray when being attacked is taken from 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s grace is sufficient for us and in our human weakness, His power is made perfect.

Allow your weakness to be a platform for God to show His strength and power in how He sustains and keeps you. Don’t succumb to the enemy’s cowardly attempt at getting you to compromise something you’ll later regret.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10 & 11)