Overcoming Temptation

Satan's temptations are often well disguised. That was the case with Jesus in the wilderness; it was also true of David in his wilderness preparation. King Saul was intent on killing him. He did not know that David was hiding in the cave when he went in to make himself comfortable. David's men urged him to kill Saul - in a sense it would have been self-protection. David had reason and opportunity, and his men urged him that this was 'the day of which the Lord had spoken' (it is hard to resist 'prophetic' claims). And it would be hastening the inevitable, for David had been promised the kingdom. In making a choice David faced, on the one hand: suffering, ambition, peer pressure, and what claimed to be prophecy. But David acted on the basis of God's revealed will - his choice of Saul to be king for that time meaning that no one had the right to harm him. What was portrayed as prophecy was no more valid than the providence of finding Saul at his mercy. Similarly in his temptations Jesus ignored providence and made his choice on the basis of 'It is written'. David also applied the principle of 'honour where honour is due (Romans 13:17) calling Saul 'Lord' and 'father'. This speaks to us about committing our ways to God and then submitting to his sovereign will - as Jesus did in Gethsemane. It speaks about being willing to suffer in the will of God just as Jesus 'learned obedience by the things he suffered'. It speaks about a servant heart, like him who 'came not to be served but to serve'. Making choices on that basis and in that spirit will not fail to bring God's reward.