Right Priorities

Right Priorities!

But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God .’” MATTHEW 4:4 AMP

Today's extract is the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, immediately after his baptism and heaven's testimony of his Sonship and authority. It can never be over emphasized how important it is to forget successes as soon as they have happened, because the devil is never really asleep. He keeps plugging away, seeking that loophole he can exploit to bring us down. Like Jesus, so is it with us today. No matter what heaven says about you, always remember you are human and susceptible to temptation. Only a constant and daily dependence on God, just as today's extract shows, guarantees a good end.

Satan came after 40 days of fasting, and his first words sounded innocent. After all, Jesus is the Son of God, so it wasn't about proving a point, but placing everything in life in the proper place and context. Too many times, great things have been destroyed because we couldn't determine the proper time, place and priorities for every thing in our lives. Jesus was hungry, but a bigger threat was hanging: does he sacrifice the eternal for the immediate? Does he satisfy earthly desires and place the eternal in jeopardy?

The same question faces us today: do we go all out to show off or to show God off to other people? Is my life one where God can speak to and through? Am I focused on my needs and wants, at the expense of what God wants? Can I trust God to sort me out, as i walk with Him on a daily basis? Do i focus on feeding the natural man at the expense of the spiritual man? The devil would have Jesus set out his own path and do His own thing in his own way and at his own time, but we can stand where we are now simply because Christ saw through the deceit and put the devil in his place.

And what was the tool? The Word of God. That's the only thing that will stand the test of time. It is the only lasting defence against the devil. When every other thing fails, you can trust the Word of God to stand fast and true. Do I know the Word? It is first the person of the Word, who speaks the words that become life and health to me. What's my first point of call when the trials and tough times come? Your response will always determine where your life is headed right now, and where it may end up. Choose and decide right; His time of favour is here.