July 18, 2008 12:49 pm
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BY FERN YARNICK
FYARNICK @YAHOO.COM
Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights, and afterwards he was famished.
Matthew 4:2 NRSV
The gospel of Luke mentions that after Jesus’ baptism, he was driven into the wilderness to be alone with God.
His zeal to commune with his father was so strong that he did not eat for 40 days and 40 nights.
Several years ago, I had the flu.
My temperature fluctuated between 101 and 102 degrees.
No matter how I tried, I could not bring it down.
At the end of the day, I was very hungry.
I knew that if I tried to eat, I would aggravate my weakened condition.
Wanting something cold in my mouth, I threw caution to the wind and at the very thing I should have stayed away from – ice cream.
Knowing my desperate desire, I thought of the craving of our Lord.
The Bible tells us that this was the very time the devil came to tempt him.
“Command these stones to become bread,” he taunted.
Using Scripture as well, Jesus said: “One does not live by bread alone.”
In every instance, Jesus countered the devil’s wiles with Scripture.
No matter what he said, our Lord never faltered or gave in.
His strength in the face of temptation was overwhelming.
How did he do it?
The first verse tells it all, “And Jesus full of the Holy Spirit ...”
This was Jesus’ power.
If you are a child of God, you don’t have to “go it alone.”
The power is available to you as well.
When temptations come, and they will, claim this Scripture.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
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