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05.03.09 Pastor's Insights

When the Pressure Is On, What Do You Do?

Jesus knows what it's like to be in a high pressure situation.

Matthew 4:1-4 tells how Jesus was in the wilderness and at the tail end of a forty day fast. (Personally, the idea of being alone, in the desert and going without food for six weeks sounds miserable!) At this point, the devil came to Jesus and taunted him saying, “if you’re really God’s Son, turn these stones into bread.” This was a tough situation for Jesus. He knew He could easily turn those stones into bread. He could easily make the devil shut up. (I imagine if I were in that situation, I would turn those stones into bread and say, “Well, what do you think of that, Loser!")

But, Jesus knew if He fell into the devil’s trap, it would ruin everything that He had come to earth to do. So, even though Jesus was hungry (and the Bible says that He was extremely hungry), He didn’t give in to the temptation. He must have been lonely, thirsty, tired and annoyed by the devil’s taunts but His response to the devil was “No, I’m going to live by God’s Word instead.”

Jesus gives us an excellent example of what to do in a high pressure situation, even when we’re tired, frustrated and upset. He didn’t get defensive, vengeful or emotional. He didn’t try to use willpower or human strength. He simply spoke what the Bible said about His situation. That’s what God wants us to do when we’re in a tough situation. He doesn’t want us to look to our own strength. He wants us to say what He says about the circumstances.

He wants us to say:
“My God will provide for me” (Phil 4:19)
“He is with me” (Is 41:10)
“He will not let me down” (Is 43:2)
“He cares about me” (1 Pet 5:7)
“He forgives me" (Heb 8:12)

When the heat is on, say what God says!

 

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