Hold fast

Hold fast

Bible:Matthew 4:1-11

Reading

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
(ISAIAH 41:10).

On the day before my mum died, my brother and I sat by her bed. She was very weak, but even so, she managed to quote two verses—Isaiah 41:10 and John 10:29. She didn’t just say them to comfort us, but to reinforce her own trust in God. She held tightly to what God had said; and what God said held her tight. The Bible has tremendous holding power. When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus overcame the devil by quoting verses (MATTHEW. 4:3-10). He did this to strengthen Himself, not to intimidate His enemy. The Bible leaves no doubt that Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (HEBREWS 4:15). Jesus did not quote verses because they contained some magical power. He called them to mind to guide and strengthen Himself so that He would stay true to God’s plan. Because He kept His life under the control and direction of the Bible, the devil could not defeat Him or distract Him from doing
His Father’s will. Whenever we are tested—whether it’s a strong temptation, a paralysing
worry, a really bad habit we’re struggling to break or anything else—we need to practise turning our attention to the Bible. That is where our confidence in God, and our love for Him and His ways, will grow.

EITHER THE BIBLE WILL HELP KEEP YOU FROM SIN;
OR SIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM READING THE BIBLE.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries