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It Is Written

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written…”¹

Typically, we see today’s Scripture used in preachings and devotionals about temptation, as that was what Jesus was facing in this context. However, I want to focus on the Tool He used, not only to fight off the “tempter”, but also how this Tool led him to a place where his needs were met.

After Jesus used Scripture three times to fight off the temptations, Matthew 4:11 tells us that “the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” The Word of God is powerful, not only to fight our enemy, but also to help us overcome any challenge in our lives and open the door for Jesus to meet us where we are.

Matt Woodly (Christian author and pastor) shared a story about his friend Theresa. She had married the man of her dreams, but soon after found herself in a pit of depression. She found herself consumed in darkness and started writing her obituary. Matt found himself without the words to give her solutions, so they prayed. After, they read Psalm 77, a psalm of agony and lament, then he went home. He left feeling powerless, and honestly felt he hadn’t helped his friend feel any better.

The next week another leader of their church visited Theresa. She was still suffering intensely, but when the leader asked if he could pray for her, Theresa said, "Yes, but before you pray, please read Psalm 77. I've been clinging to it all week. It's my lifeline to God."

Matt commented in an interview, "Apparently when we read Psalm 77 in utter powerlessness, God showed up in her life with power."²

The best thing we can do at all times is go to the Word of God. It is God’s Word that gets through to the heart and has the power to bring light to any situation. The Word of God is Truth. We may have personal opinions or suggestions, but God’s Word is what will set us free, give us guidance, help us overcome challenges, and bring us to a place of rest.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your Word which is powerful and speaks absolute Truth. Whether it be in my own life, or in the lives of those you place in my path, help the light of Your Word bring us closer to You. The enemy has no power when faced with Your Word. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

1.    Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV).

2.    "Are You There, God?” An Interview with The Folly of Prayer Author Matt Woodley, IVP Books.

 

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.