“All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”” – Psalm 22:7-8
Scripture reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Christ will be disdained in the most despicable way. Matthew 27 showed that through five different derisions, he suffered. All the people were unanimous in their mocking laughter – priests and people, Jews and Gentiles, soldiers and civilians – and all at the moment he was completely helpless and about to die.
Perhaps you’re familiar with that childhood retort: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” But they do, don’t they? How many times don’t abusive messages on a cell phone, taunting on the playground, or nasty remarks on social media, become factors in teenagers committing suicide?
So, what could hurt the true man of God more than his God being scorned before him? Moreover, that’s what unbelievers do, because they argue from the erroneous idea that God is here to do just what they want him to do. Have they seen nothing? Don’t they realize we could never treat God as just a button we push?
Well, yes, they do. But now they’re trying to push our buttons. They do the devil’s deed. Indeed, wasn’t it Satan who tempted Jesus in Matthew 4 this way – three times? And in Matthew 27:40 his henchmen cry out to the Lord, “Come down from the cross!” Let’s answer them the right way. Let’s say with our Lord, “It is written.”
Suggestions for prayer
Pray for God’s wisdom and power to stand up against Satan. And pray for the correct words to say to unbelievers who are trying to push our buttons.
Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
