Scripture Designs 09

"It is written...it is written...it is written..." (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)

We are reminded that Jesus used Scripture to combat satan's temptations, but does this knowledge affect our daily life? How can we use Scripture in the face of temptation of we are not actively reading, memorizing, and studying God's Word? The weapon is there for us to use -- but have we picked it up and trained with it?

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:7-8

It is easy to think, "the more I pray, the more God hears." And though there is the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, in which her incessant begging was answered (Luke 18:1-8), we also get a glimpse of how, at the beginning of Daniel's supplication, God sent Gabriel with the answer (Daniel 9:22-23). If our hearts are clean before God (Psalm 66:18-19), He hears when we first call on Him -- and He knows the perfect answer to our need. But do we trust that He hears us?

Parents, in their wisdom, do not give their child everything he asks -- and often, children see that as parents withholding good from them. So our Father withholds things from us -- because, in His wisdom, He knows what is best for us. "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11) It's just that we do not always know what is good for us.