until the next opportunity

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus,
he left him until the next opportunity came. 

(Luke 4:13)

Huh.

In other words, it’s not over. It’s never over.

Satan doesn’t ever really give up, but recedes for a time to regroup and devise some new and devilish scheme for our downfall. Don’t be lulled into drowsiness by his absence for a season.

Rather, be steadfast.
Watch.
Pray the way Jesus taught you to pray (Luke 11:2-4).

And take comfort—great comfort!—from the reality that when we are besieged yet again by this relentless satan we may go to Jesus as the one “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Jesus will never leave you alone to face the temptations of the serpent, dear reader.
Call on him for the mercy and grace you need to break the fangs of our foul foe.
He is faithful, he will answer, and he will provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

To war!