August 1, 2021 – Luke 3,4

In the temptations, Satan hit Jesus at such vulnerable points: hunger, authority and glory, influence with God and the miraculous. In each instance, Jesus answered Satan from the Scriptures, demonstrating for us the importance of being in the Word and, also, the effective way to fight temptation. “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee . . .” (4:14). Of course, Jesus was able to do what he did because of the power of the Holy Spirit. If the second person of the Trinity is reliant upon the third person of the Trinity, how much more are we dependent upon the Holy Spirit! The Word and the Spirit, and always looking to Jesus as our example -- there’s the secret to living good and righteous lives. As Mark Jones (Desiring God Ministries) put it: “The Spirit, who worked in and through Christ during his life on earth, now works in and through us.”

Thou Power and Peace, in whom we find

All holiest strength, all purest love,

The rushing of the mighty wind,

The brooding of the gentle dove.

Forever lend Thy sovereign aid,

And urge us on, and keep us Thine;

Nor leave the hearts which Thou hast made,

Fit temples of Thy grace divine.

Nor let us quench Thy saving light;

But still with softest breathings stir,

Our wayward souls, and lead us right,

O Holy Spirit, Comforter! --Cecil F. Alexander (1852)