DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 20 December 2025: While On The Mountain
Text: Matthew 4:1–11 (KJV)
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
KEY VERSE: Matthew 4:8–9 (KJV)
“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”
The biblical account of the temptation of Jesus Christ by Satan is rich with timeless lessons for believers across all generations. Much can be learned from the timing of the temptation, the setting, Satan’s audacity, and his crafty attempts to derail the mission of Christ—his very Creator.
One striking detail is Satan’s choice of “an exceeding high mountain” as the location for this temptation.
From the peak of a high mountain, Satan offered Jesus a panoramic view of “all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.” This elevated position was strategic—it created the illusion of instant success, power, and control, all without the cross.
Satan hoped to provoke a moment of weakness and secure a rash, disobedient decision. This same strategy has continued to ruin countless lives over time.
A modern illustration is the story of Lance Armstrong, once a celebrated global icon in professional cycling. After surviving testicular cancer, he won the Tour de France seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005, earning worldwide admiration.
However, his extraordinary success bred pride and a false sense of invincibility. He became involved in systematic doping, repeatedly denying all allegations. In 2012, after extensive investigations, the United States Anti-Doping Agency exposed him as the leader of the most sophisticated doping programme in sports history.
Consequently, Armstrong was stripped of his titles, banned for life, and suffered public disgrace and irreparable damage to his legacy.
Sadly, many have fallen into similar traps—allowing sin, pride, and ungodly behaviour to bring them down while standing on the mountain of success. This has happened in politics, sports, academics, business, wealth, and regrettably, even in Christian leadership.
Are you presently on the mountain of achievement or influence? Remember that success can be a dangerous place without vigilance. The timeless counsel of Christ remains our safeguard: “Watch and pray.” Only through spiritual alertness and dependence on God can we achieve lasting victory, just as Jesus did over Satan.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Being on the mountain is no guarantee for remaining on the mountain.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daily Manna 20 December 2025
