Lenten meditation on Sunday

We thank God for the privilege of worship in our church this morning. We had a number of visitors among whom was a couple from Woodlands who recalled the days when they worshipped with us at Clemenceau Avenue. There were a number of international visitors who at present are holding a Finance Seminar in our building. One of the lecturers is Major Richard Welch. His father Joe Welch used to be the bandmaster at the Central Corps in the fifties!

We are in the season of Lent. Last week the message was on "The Temptation of Jesus". Satan tempted Jesus to change stones into bread, in other words use His divine power to meet His own physical need of hunger. Besides He could use this power to turn stones into bread to feed the whole world. An easy way out to fulfil His purpose

But Jesus responded with the word of God quoting Deuteronomy 8: 3 to defeat Satan.
".... man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

This morning our meditation was on the second temptation - more subtle than the first. Satan attack. ed again using God's word by twisting it. Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple - the height equivalent to and HDB block of flats 20 stories high. He then quoted Psalm 91: 11-12. - God promises to take care of His own. He is saying, "If you really believe the Scriptures, then jump. Let's see if the Father cares for you. Satan conveniently left out the preceding verse "If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter..." There are always conditions to be met before benefits can be received. on God's word.

Satan has the habit of casting doubt on God's word.It reminds me of this thought from Shakespeare in "Merchant of Venice "the devil can cite scripture for his purpose"

All Salvationists subscribe to the Doctrines of The Salvation Army. The first doctrine says'

"We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian rule and practice.'