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From Heaven With Love
that is, in all the ways of God’s choosing. Jesus refused to go outside
the path of obedience. He would not force Providence to come to
His rescue, and thus fail of giving man an example of trust and
submission.
Jesus declared to Satan, “It is written again, Thou shall not tempt
the Lord thy God.” God had already testified that Jesus was His
Son; now to ask for proof would be putting God’s word to the test—
tempting Him. We should not present our petitions to God to prove
whether He will fulfill His word, but because He will fulfill it; not
to prove that He loves us, but because He loves us. See
Hebrews
11:6
. Presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith. Faith claims God’s
promises and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also
claims the promises, but uses them to excuse transgression. Faith
would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and obey His
commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing
that His great love would save them from the consequence of their
sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying
with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted.
Venturing on Satan’s Ground
If Satan can cause us to place ourselves unnecessarily in the way
of temptation, he knows that victory is his. God will preserve all
who walk in the path of obedience; but to depart from it is to venture
on Satan’s ground. The Saviour has bidden us, “Watch ye and pray,
lest ye enter into temptation.”
Mark 14:38
.
Often when placed in a trying situation we doubt that the Spirit
of God has led us. But it was the Spirit’s leading that brought
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Jesus into the wilderness. When God brings us into trial, He has a
purpose to accomplish for our good. Jesus did not presume on God’s
promises by going unbidden into temptation; neither did He give up
to despondency when temptation came upon Him. Nor should we.
See
1 Corinthians 10:13
;
Psalm 50:14, 15
.
Jesus was victor in the second temptation, and now Satan man-
ifested himself in his true character—as a mighty angel, though
fallen. He avowed himself the leader of rebellion and the god of this
world. Placing Jesus on a high mountain, he caused the kingdoms of
the world to pass in panoramic view before Him. The sunlight lay