THURSDAY, MAY 9
Scripture: Luke 4:5-8

In the second temptation of Luke 4 we are told, “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”’” In this second temptation of Christ, satan demanded worship, by saying, bow and kiss my hand. Worship was the price to free the world from his grip! God had a different plan. How much pain is freedom worth? Jesus faced that question for all humanity and answered with action. When satan offers us a short cut or a seemingly easy way out, will we take it? Government can’t give us freedom. Politicians may promise it, but our worship and allegiance should belong to God Alone Who has chosen us as His Own and adopted us into His Family. Jesus kept His destiny and His Sonship ever before His eyes. He had already set His face like flint. Isaiah 50:7 says, “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” The word ashamed here means disgraced – confounded, reproached, confused or taunted. Are we ready to set our face like flint to follow the Holy Spirit?