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Where do you go when you are overwhelmed with fear, doubt, or sorrow?
It always seems that when we are at our lowest, the devil will come and attack us. It’s like he waits for an opportune time. Jesus understands when we are in a battle at this point, the tempter will come. He was in the desert, hungry and vulnerable. When we are at our lowest point, we can be raised to the highest point.
The first area Jesus is attacked in is in the place of His authority. Here’s the question the devil asks Jesus: “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” (Luke 4: 3)
The response of Jesus was, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.” (Luke 4: 4)
Jesus is quoting from the written Word from the Old Testament recalling how the Israelite’s were sustained in the desert. “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with Manna, which neither you or your Father’s had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8: 3)
The Word that comes, that we have not known before, is called revelation.
POINT #1: WHEN YOU’RE IN A BATTLE, SEEK REVELATION FROM HIS WORD!
The second place the devil led Jesus to is to a high place showing Him the earth and all the kingdoms and regions of the world. He then tells Jesus to worship him, and his reward will be giving Jesus all kingdoms that he sees.
Jesus answered, “It is written: “Worship the Lord God and serve Him only.” (Luke 4: 8)
Jesus is here quoting “Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in His name. He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes” (Deuteronomy 10: 20-21)
POINT #2: WHEN YOU’RE IN A BATTLE, HE IS YOUR PRAISE. GO TO THE PLACE OF PRAISE AND PROMISE!
The third and final place (that we know of) where the devil harasses Jesus is when he led Jesus to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple, asking Jesus to throw Himself down. Then the devil misquotes and mocks Jesus saying, “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully…” (Psalm 91: 11-12)
The written Word again is Jesus’ defense as He says, “Do not test the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 6: 16)
POINT #3: WHEN YOU’RE IN A BATTLE, DON’T PROVOKE THE LORD. GO TO THE HIGHEST PLACE YOU CAN, TO THE PINNACLE OF PRAISE, TO THE MEETING PLACE OF GOD AND MAN!
The temple was the place where God’s people met with God. It was the place where they heard the Word of God and worshiped Him.
POINT#4: WHEN WE REMAIN IN THE PLACE OF PRAISE, DURING TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS, GOD WILL SUSTAIN US.
Summarizing: As a believer in Yeshua (Jesus), we have been given authority. The kingdom of God is within us and we are to trust in His faithfulness. To help sustain us in this position, let the High Praises of God saturate you. Learn to stand in this high position, not manufactured by man, but by God. It is the Highest Place we can stand in!
POINT#5: ALWAYS RETURN TO THE PLACE OF PRAISE, JESUS DID!
After the harassment, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit, and news about Him spread throughout the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues (the place of praise) and everyone praised Him.” (Luke 4: 14-15)
Let us give our Highest Praise to our God in the Highest Place.
Committed To Returning To The Place of Praise,
Mary Beth Pecora |
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