The life of faith is never an easy life. We have to do battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. We see the influence of the world in Exodus 17:3 – “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt… ?” We may also see this as the influence of the flesh. The world appeals to our desire for the things of the flesh. The influence of the world and the flesh is also seen in Psalm 22. We see the Psalmist’s feeling that God is far from him – “Why are You so far from saving me… ?” (Psalm 22:1). The Psalmist’s sense of abandonment is seized upon by the world - ”All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads” (Psalm 22:7). The ultimate origin of temptation is the devil – Jesus was “tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:13). In our conflict with the world, the flesh and the devil, we, like Jesus – “angels attended Him” (Mark 1:13) – can know the strength and victory which God gives.
Psalm 48:1-14 Lord, we worship You in the place of worship – “Within Your Temple, we meditate on Your unfailing love.” Help us to go out from there, and play our part in seeing that Your praise “reaches to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 48:: 9-11). How will other people know of Your love, if we don’t tell them? How will they find their way to Your House, if we don’t invite them? When we share Your Word with others, help us to remember Your promise: “My Word … will not return to Me empty, but will … achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
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