God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First In the First Place

Often people like to begin stating their stance on a given issue with the phrase, “In the first place…” as though they have the final say on the matter. However, the first word spoken on a given matter is not necessarily the final say. After all is said and done, it turns out the dragonfly is not a dragon, but merely a fly.

Proverbs 18:17 The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.

Have you noticed that when Jesus was tempted by the devil, it was the devil who spoke first after the forty days and forty nights of fasting in the wilderness? He even used scripture itself – the absolute truth of God – to try to dissuade Jesus from God’s perfect plan.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
and
'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Well, Satan may have had the first word in this instance, but he certainly didn’t have the final say. In every instance Jesus, knowing full well the will of the Father and being fully committed to it, gave the final answer, and that with absolute authority.

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***