Nougat 19

We continue to reflect on fasting based on today’s Holy Nougat.

“Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’ ”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Staying the Course

Jesus did not ignore the Devil, He faced the enemy of our souls and simply refused the offer. That can’t have been easy, because the human side of Him must have been very hungry. And some Scripture ver versions suggest that Jesus might have been thirsty. Yet, when offered sustenance, Jesus refused.

Nothing in the Gospels suggest that He was planning on being fed by the angels (who ministered to Him later) or that He Himself would be creating something. Well actually, if Jesus made food in any way (or even swallowed as though He’d eaten) the Devil would have found a way to turn it around. For the issue wasn’t only about identity, but authority.

When we recognize the Why behind the enemy’s schemes, we’ll find that it’s easier to foil the plans. And when we subject ourselves to God, it is definitely easier to avoid being under the Devil’s control. Remember that old saying about giving an inch and a mile is taken, if we even afford the Devil a pin-hold, it’ll become a toe-hold. And given a toe-hold, the Devil will assume a foothold. And given a foothold, like poison, the Devil will seek to take full control of our lives.

That’s where knowing Scripture and being intimate friends with God proves helpful. Even if our human self has lost control, or is unable to discern that the enemy is after us, especially while we’re fasting, God knows what we are facing. And God gives the grace for us to bypass the plans of our enemy. James says, ‘Submit [ourselves] unto God, resist the Devil and he WILL flee (4:7). Got that – the one who seeks to conquer us runs away when confronted by God’s authority.

So let’s stay there course my siblings, ensuring that we remain under God’s coverage and grace. And if you messed up like I did, never forget the power of confession and repentance. Let’s surrender to The One Who is capable of withstanding the devil.

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May all we seek be found in Christ