Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Search Archive Print This Article The high road Sunday, March 4, 2001 Luke 4:1-13 Jesus answered, "it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. "' In one of my favorite Old Testament passages, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego anger the king of Babylon. He threatens to burn them up in a fire. They reply, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, 0 king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, 0 king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:16-18). And of course, Jesus says the same to Satan. Driven by God into the desert, fasting for many days, he doesn't use his own words to refuse Satan's offers. He quotes the teaching of his Scriptures, and chooses to trust God. Jesus knows that God is able to feed him, to empower him...but even if he does not, Jesus keeps his own job clear. "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Do not put him to the test." When I try to save myself from the fire, find my own food, seek my own power base, I'm doing God's job, not mine. When I confuse our roles I walk straight into confusion, frustration, failure, and sin. I've sometimes thought of the unknown, the future, as a pirate's plank. I'm blindfolded, forced out on the plank. stepping out over the water. I'm left, finally, with just one choice, to trust God or not to trust Him. He is able to make that plank go on forever. But even if he does not, I want you to know, evil king, that I will not serve your gods or worship the images you have set up before me. I will choose to trust in God. It's that choice, with the outcome still in doubt, that brings me joy in the morning, fulfillment in the afternoon, and peace in the evening. Lord, if you have created me, and the path, and the forest, how can I ever be lost? Step by step you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days. "; Add      Edit    Delete