Weekly Newsletter
Pastor David’s Weekly Devotional
A woodpecker is a very interesting bird. The loud rat-a-tat-tat noise he makes as he drills into trees in search of bugs to eat always attracts attention. The secret of his success is simple. When a woodpecker finds a suitable tree, he begins to drill a hole. If the wood is too hard or no bugs are found, he simply moves over a bit and starts again. Over and over he continues, until he meets with success.
Satan uses temptation in much the same way. He will try one temptation on us and then if not successful will move over a bit and try another. And so he will continue, over and over again, until he finds a soft spot in us that he can use to his advantage.
One of the more ominous verses in Scripture is found in the Gospel of Luke: “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (4:13). This is the concluding verse of the passage which describes Jesus being tempted by the devil for forty days in the wilderness. Clearly, Satan was not finished with Jesus. There were undoubtedly many temptations before the wilderness, and there were certainly many more to come.
Like a diabolical woodpecker, the devil was relentless in his temptations of Jesus Christ. Thankfully, Jesus resisted every-single-one! “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15; see 2Cor.5:21; 1Pet.2:22; 1Jn.3:5).
This was not only the devil’s scheme against Jesus, it is also the same scheme he uses against every person (see 2Cor.2:11; Eph.6:11). Scripture is replete with warnings concerning Satan’s tenacious attacks:
We must not ignore these warnings, nor take them lightly. We are commanded to “resist him, firm in the faith” (1Pet.5:9), and we are promised that if we do so “he will flee” (Jms.4:7). This, however, does not mean that Satan will leave us alone forever. Just that God will grant victory to those who “stand firm” against Satan by putting on “the whole armor of God” (Eph.6:11). For, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1Cor.10:13).
This is a great and gracious promise from God. A promise that we must not merely claim, but actively pursue. In his book, Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices, Thomas Brooks (a Puritan preacher from the 17th century), wrote: “Satan hath snares for the wise and snares for the simple; snares for hypocrites, and snares for the upright; snares for generous souls, and snares for timorous souls; snares for the rich, and snares for the poor; snares for the aged, and snares for youth. Happy are those souls that are not taken and held in the snares that he hath laid!”
Together in and for Christ,
Pastor David
Scripture Readings for the Week (Monday – Sunday ~ Week #4):
Genesis 12-15; Joshua 16-20; Psalm 9-11; Job 7-8; Isaiah 18-22; Matthew 8-10; Romans 7-8
Recommended Reading:
“How to Meet the Enemy” by John MacArthur
A woodpecker is a very interesting bird. The loud rat-a-tat-tat noise he makes as he drills into trees in search of bugs to eat always attracts attention. The secret of his success is simple. When a woodpecker finds a suitable tree, he begins to drill a hole. If the wood is too hard or no bugs are found, he simply moves over a bit and starts again. Over and over he continues, until he meets with success.
Satan uses temptation in much the same way. He will try one temptation on us and then if not successful will move over a bit and try another. And so he will continue, over and over again, until he finds a soft spot in us that he can use to his advantage.
One of the more ominous verses in Scripture is found in the Gospel of Luke: “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (4:13). This is the concluding verse of the passage which describes Jesus being tempted by the devil for forty days in the wilderness. Clearly, Satan was not finished with Jesus. There were undoubtedly many temptations before the wilderness, and there were certainly many more to come.
Like a diabolical woodpecker, the devil was relentless in his temptations of Jesus Christ. Thankfully, Jesus resisted every-single-one! “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15; see 2Cor.5:21; 1Pet.2:22; 1Jn.3:5).
This was not only the devil’s scheme against Jesus, it is also the same scheme he uses against every person (see 2Cor.2:11; Eph.6:11). Scripture is replete with warnings concerning Satan’s tenacious attacks:
“… sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Gen.4:1).
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pet.5:8).
“… the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Rev.12:12)
We must not ignore these warnings, nor take them lightly. We are commanded to “resist him, firm in the faith” (1Pet.5:9), and we are promised that if we do so “he will flee” (Jms.4:7). This, however, does not mean that Satan will leave us alone forever. Just that God will grant victory to those who “stand firm” against Satan by putting on “the whole armor of God” (Eph.6:11). For, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1Cor.10:13).
This is a great and gracious promise from God. A promise that we must not merely claim, but actively pursue. In his book, Precious Remedies against Satan’s Devices, Thomas Brooks (a Puritan preacher from the 17th century), wrote: “Satan hath snares for the wise and snares for the simple; snares for hypocrites, and snares for the upright; snares for generous souls, and snares for timorous souls; snares for the rich, and snares for the poor; snares for the aged, and snares for youth. Happy are those souls that are not taken and held in the snares that he hath laid!”
Together in and for Christ,
Pastor David
Scripture Readings for the Week (Monday – Sunday ~ Week #4):
Genesis 12-15; Joshua 16-20; Psalm 9-11; Job 7-8; Isaiah 18-22; Matthew 8-10; Romans 7-8
Recommended Reading:
“How to Meet the Enemy” by John MacArthur
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