Yesterday we saw Moses make a critical error in judgment: he figured he could take matters into his own hands, and he killed an Egyptian who had been beating a Hebrew slave.
Today’s text shows another person in the prime of his earthly life: Jesus. He is also facing an enemy, just as Moses had done. But Jesus understands that his most powerful weapon is something that lies beyond himself. It is the weapon that his heavenly Father has given to him to use: the Scriptures he has studied since he was very young. He responds to the devil with three verses from Deuteronomy, reveals the devil’s lies, and sends him packing.
When we come up against something challenging, we often assume that our most important resources are within ourselves—our own wisdom and cleverness and might. We put them to use and are mystified because we don’t get the results we want. Or, if things go our way, we assume that our own strength and wit made it all happen. Our hardened self-reliance will come back to haunt us later.
Scripture, prayer, God’s wisdom coming to us in times of silence and meditation, the wisdom of other believers who care about us—these are the resources that God provides. The truly educated look to such things.
Father in heaven, direct our wills to surrender our pride and self-reliance. Lead us to develop the habit of looking to you and obeying your will always. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
About the author — Dave Den Haan
Dave Den Haan is an ordained minister who works for Thrive, the Christian Reformed Church in North America agency that equips and encourages congregations. His main focus is to serve churches experiencing conflict and challenge. Before working with Thrive, Dave served as a pastor to two congregations, one in Minnesota and one in Michigan. He and his wife, Connie, have three married children and two grandchildren.
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