Daily Devotional | God’s Presence in Temptation

I am fascinated by lighthouses and enjoy visiting them on vacations. Lighthouses were not just designed as beautiful landmarks, but they helped seafaring vessels safely navigate darkness and storms, guiding them safely to port. The captain of many a ship has thankfully used those bright beams to avoid tragedy. God’s Word and His presence in our lives are like that lighthouse, beaming a clear, steady light amid life’s storms. God uses His Word to guide and protect us when we face stormy temptations.

Matthew 4 describes how Jesus was led by the Spirit (v. 1) into the desert where He was tempted by the devil. Satan approached the Lord three times, trying to get Him to yield to his tempting suggestions. The wilderness setting was bleak, a stark contrast to Adam and Eve’s temptation in a luscious garden (Gen. 2:8; 3:1–6). And, despite Jesus’ physical weakness from going without food for forty days (v. 2), He effectively countered each temptation by quoting the book of Deuteronomy.

When Satan tempted Jesus to use His divine power to satisfy His hunger, turning stones into bread, Jesus replied with a direct quote: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3). Each temptation was met with Jesus quoting God’s Word. And then, “the devil left him” (v. 11).

God’s Word and the Spirit were present at the very beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. And once again, we see God’s Word provide triumphant power over Satan’s attempts to tempt Jesus. We too have access to that powerful defense. Just like Jesus, we can saturate our minds with the truths of God’s Word. Hiding God’s Word in our heart can give us power over the temptations we face each day. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).