Week 18: Self-control like Jesus

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: Judges 9:22-10:18; Luke 24:13-53; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 14:11-12
* Monday: Judges 11:1-12:15; John 1:1-28; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14
* Tuesday: Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 14:15-16
* Wednesday: Judges 15:1-16:31; John 2:1-25; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 14:17-19
* Thursday: Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21
* Friday: Judges 19:1-20:48; John 3:22-4:3; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 14:22-24
* Saturday: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25

Our SOAP verse is from Psalm 91. It's actually from last week's reading plan, but it's an insight that I thought was rather interestng:

Scripture: Psalm 91:11-13
9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. 11 For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them.

Observation
During Jesus' temptation in the dessert, the Devil used verses 11 & 12 of this Psalm to test Jesus, see Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:9-11. Jesus answers the Devil by saying: "The Scriptures also say, 'Do not test the Lord your God.'". What fascinates me is that Jesus does not quote verse 13 of this Psalm, the next verse after the verses that the Devil uses. Jesus could have said something like: "You are right that this Psalm talks about me, Satan. Do you also know what the next verse in that Psalm says? It says that that I will trample you, and crush you under my feet!!" Jesus could have said that, because this verse is almost a direct reference to Genesis 3 verse 15, where God says to the snake (the Devil):

15 "From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Instead, Jesus shows a lot of self-control, and does not even go there. Maybe the Devil even wanted Jesus to go there, so that the conversation would have ended up in a back-and-forth shouting match. No, instead, Jesus shows self-control, and does not rely on his own power. He relies on God by saying that you should not test the LORD your God.

Application
Jesus' composure is a great example for me in the area of self-control. I have to learn to not use "my power" or always try to be right in my own eyes. Instead, I have to learn to rely on God, and His power, just like Jesus did.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that you help me to maintain self-control in the most difficult circumstances, just like your Son Jesus showed us. In his name we pray. Amen.
Have a great week. Dick