Always an opportune time for grace!

Reflecting on Luke 4:1-13

"The devil left him until an opportune time." (Luke 4:13)

Jesus stands firm in this wilderness, but the devil is not done.
Luke describes this as waiting for the opportune time.
It seems the devil knows how to make the most of every opportunity.

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

What might be a more opportune time than a wilderness?
Jesus faced many moments of testing.
When his hometown threatened to throw Him off the cliff (Luke 4:29).
When Peter, whom He loved, rebuked Him for talking about His death.
When the religious leaders, who should have welcomed Him, tested Him.
When He was in the garden, or before Pontius Pilate, or on the cross.
In moments like these, He could have chosen a more self-serving response.

What are opportune moments for the deceiver with us?
When we’re tired, when we are overwhelmed, when we are alone?
When we are engaging in certain forms of entertainment?
When someone disappoints us, or when we watch the news?
When we’re at the mall, or online, or with certain friends?

Opportune moments are unique to each person.
But the deceiver’s intent is the same in all of them.
To drive a wedge between us and God, and our relationship with God.
To get us to shift, even a little, how we think.
These are like fiery arrows that assault our minds (Ephesians 6:16).
We need the armour of God at all times, because the enemy is shrewd.
He knows how to wait for the opportune moment, and then strike.

Paul urges us to make the most of every opportunity.
He uses the words ‘redeeming the moments’, to take them back for God.
When we know of moments when we are weak, we should redeem them.
Take those moments of weakness, and reinforce them with defenses.
Bring Jesus into those moments by prayer, or songs of faith.
It takes wisdom to handle these moments.
We cannot let our guard down, for the enemy is watching.

Yet our focus should not be on looking for the enemy.
The best way to defend ourselves is to go on the offensive.
Not against the devil, but moving towards Jesus and God.
Jesus was constantly taking time alone with God to reinforce His faith.
His focus was on God: being with God, living like God, blessing others for God.
Jesus urges us to focus on Him and on His Way – living with, like and for God.

We will always have moments of weakness, and we will falter and fail.
But do not let those moments of failure become opportune moments.
In moments like that, we still need to look to Jesus for grace.
The deceiver’s purpose is to take your eyes away from Jesus and God.
As soon as we realize that it is happening, turn to Jesus and God.
Even if you have failed miserably or done something bad.
The devil will want you to think that you have gone too far.
He will seize upon that moment of weakness to drive you from God.
Don’t let him win in those moments.
Look to Jesus, it is always an opportune time for grace!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I do not want to focus on the devil, nor do I want to focus on my failures. I choose to keep my focus on You, even when I fail. It is always the right time for grace!