Day 167
Today we look at the third temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Luke 4:9-11 says: "And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." There is much contained in these three verses; however, we will focus on the phrase " He shall give his angels charge over thee." Notice that Satan had control over Jesus' body in that he brought Him to Jerusalem. In this life on earth, there are times when Satan may with God's permission take you to a place of temptation. However, we have the promise of Scripture that God has given angels to look out for you. That is a comforting thought. God has plenty of angels for each believer to guard and protect you throughout the day.
William Burkitt says of this verse: " The text of scripture which Satan makes use of: He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: Ps 91:11-12 where the doctrine is good, but the application bad. The doctrine is true, that God is pleased to employ his angels for the good of his servants, and particularly for their preservation in times of danger: but see how falsely the devil perverts, misapplies, and wrests that sacred scripture. When God promises that his angels shall keep us, it is in all his ways; not in our own crooked paths. Learn, that although the children of God have the promise of the guardianship of his holy angels, yet then only may they expect their protection, when walking in the way of their duty: He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
Burkitt brings out that the promise of protection is while we are walking in His ways. This is an exhortation to walk in holiness. God is holy and He wants us to be holy in every aspect of our lives. How can we be holy? First, listen to your renewed conscience. It will guide you in confusing times. Second, stay in the Word and learn His will. Third, always obey and never question God's commands. Lastly, live a life of repentance and daily seek His forgiveness and cleansing. If you do these things, you will have His angels with you wherever you go keeping you in His care; what a loving Savior!
William Burkitt says of this verse: " The text of scripture which Satan makes use of: He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: Ps 91:11-12 where the doctrine is good, but the application bad. The doctrine is true, that God is pleased to employ his angels for the good of his servants, and particularly for their preservation in times of danger: but see how falsely the devil perverts, misapplies, and wrests that sacred scripture. When God promises that his angels shall keep us, it is in all his ways; not in our own crooked paths. Learn, that although the children of God have the promise of the guardianship of his holy angels, yet then only may they expect their protection, when walking in the way of their duty: He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
Burkitt brings out that the promise of protection is while we are walking in His ways. This is an exhortation to walk in holiness. God is holy and He wants us to be holy in every aspect of our lives. How can we be holy? First, listen to your renewed conscience. It will guide you in confusing times. Second, stay in the Word and learn His will. Third, always obey and never question God's commands. Lastly, live a life of repentance and daily seek His forgiveness and cleansing. If you do these things, you will have His angels with you wherever you go keeping you in His care; what a loving Savior!
