Timing Is Everything

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

One of Satan’s techniques in tempting us is his ability to wait for the perfect timing. In Luke 4:13, Satan did not give up just because Jesus was victorious before, and he won’t leave us alone when we have the victory either.

What are these opportune times for Satan’s attack? After a great victory or a blessing from the hand of God. When Satan left Jesus in the wilderness, he started plotting a new way to tempt Jesus. When twisting Scripture didn’t work, he next tried using the chief apostle Peter (see Matthew 16:13-28).

Just after Peter confessed that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Satan used undiscerning Peter to tempt Jesus by rebuking Him for talking about His death. And Jesus’ words were strong: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Matthew 16:23).

Peter had just been blessed with a revelation from the Father that Jesus was the Messiah, but in the next moment, he was rebuking the Messiah. Why? Times immediately after a great blessing are often the times we feel least dependent on God. Peter felt confident that he had figured things out—and Satan tried to use him to tempt Jesus out of the road to the cross.

Satan also waits for the moment immediately before success to rob God’s children of receiving God’s blessings. The wilderness temptations came right before a triumphant moment: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, . . . everyone praised him” (Luke 4:14-15). Some of the miracles that marked His ministry—healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons—were waiting for Jesus just on the other side of the wilderness.

Satan wanted to derail Jesus from His greatest blessings of ministering and proving His messiahship. He will try to do the same with you and me, tempting us to forfeit the blessings that come when we follow God’s Word. We must arm ourselves with “the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

Prayer: Lord, when success comes my way, help me to not be flushed with victory so that I let my guard down, but be of sober mind and humble, praising and glorifying Your name for that blessing. Help me to always cling to the cross of Christ with thanksgiving. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Winning Like Jesus, Part 5: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
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