In spiritual battle, bring the Word

Last Sunday's message was delivered by our youth pastor, who succeeded in his professed goal of delivering God's Word, as opposed to his own. One of the most striking elements of the message for me was the reminder of Christ's battle with Satan after 40 days in the desert.

It was "illogical," Jake noted, for Christ to move immediately from baptism and the Father's audible blessing ("This is my Son, in Whom I am well pleased") into a desolate, lonely desert experience.

Also "illogical" was His choice of weapons when Satan attacked at the peak of his hunger, thirst and fatigue. With each "thrust," or attack from Satan, Jesus responded not out of His infinite power, but with Scripture: "The Word says..."

What an awesome motivation to spend more time in the Word! If Christ Himself invested so much time in the Word, why shouldn't I?!

Thank you, Father, for this reminder to make time in your Word a personal priority. Thank you for the gift of the written Word, and for the fact that most of Your believers today have access to its riches. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, Who breathes life into the Scriptures that unbelievers see as a mere collection of words. Thank you for this powerful weapon (defensive and offensive) in the ongoing war in the spiritual realm. May we continue to acknowledge this gift, especially as we teach as Your church.