God’s Promise to the Tempted

Every victory we win over the flesh and the devil will soon be followed by an even greater temptation and attack. Satan simply will not give up in his war against us. If we defeat him once, he’ll redouble his forces and come right back at us. Suddenly, we’ll find ourselves back in a spiritual war we thought we’d already won.

Scripture tells us, “The Syrians set themselves in battle array against David and fought with him” (2 Samuel 10:17, NKJV). David was facing the same old enemy, one he thought he had already defeated. It’s important to note that David was not living in sin at this time. He was a godly man who walked in the fear of the Lord. David was also human, though; and he must have been awfully confused about what was happening. Why would God allow this enemy to come against him again?

Have you stood in David’s shoes? Many of you have prayed, “Lord, all I want is to please you, to obey your Word and do what’s right. You know that I fast, pray and love your Word. I don’t ever want to grieve you. So why am I being tempted? Why am I facing this same battle?”

I wonder if, in the midst of his confusion, David remembered the promise God had made with him a little earlier. “Since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord tells you that he will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom” (2 Samuel 7:11-12).

While the devil was throwing every weapon in hell at David, the Lord had already promised him that he would emerge victorious. In many of the psalms, David moved his attention from the oncoming enemy to the revelations of God’s lovingkindness. This is what God intends for every one of his children when the enemy comes on them like a flood. He comes to them, saying, “I promise you are going to come out of this standing. You may be wounded, but I have already made you victorious.”