In the Wilderness

   

     The wilderness is often associated with a dry and desolate place. It is defined as "an unsettled and uncultivated region, an extensive area that is barren or empty, a waste." That is why I found it interesting that Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness in Matthew chapter 4. So many times when we find ourselves in those dry and desolate spots in our spiritual journey, our first instinct is often to blame ourselves or to blame Satan. We blame ourselves because we believe we must have taken a wrong turn somewhere, made a bad decision, and got off the path from where God intended us to be. We never take the time to consider that maybe the wilderness is exactly where God wants us to be. We blame Satan for leading us into the wilderness because we feel so vulnerable, weak, and alone. It is the perfect time for Satan to attack, but we never consider that God sometimes allows us to be tempted by Satan in order to test and strengthen our faith. I heard a message by Pastor Steven Furtick the other day in which he said, "Nothing gets stronger without resistance." That is so true! We need these times of pressure and resistance, these times of testing, in order to strengthen our spiritual muscles. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to fast and pray. The wilderness is an ideal place for spiritual growth because we are completely alone, with no distractions. We are completely dependent on God alone. God used this time to prepare Jesus for what He knew was coming. When we find ourselves in the wilderness, it is often difficult to see beyond our hunger, thirst, and loneliness to see what God is preparing us for.
     Jesus was prepared to face Satan because He was prayed up, He was completely dependent on the Spirit of God, and He was armed with the Word of God. Jesus endured three different temptations from Satan, and He fought off each one with the Word of God. In Ephesians chapter 6 we are told that the only offensive weapon we have against Satan is the Word of God. We need to prepare ourselves to face the enemy. We need to clothe ourselves with the armor of God, and we need to take up that Sword of the Spirit. We need to thank God for the times we find ourselves in the wilderness, because we know that God must be preparing us to face a great battle.
     I found it interesting that while the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, Satan led Him into the Holy City. Neither God nor Satan work in the ways we often expect. God can use us, teach us, and grow in the wilderness just as Satan can tempt, mock, and try to destroy us in the Holiest of places. Satan even used Scripture to try and get Jesus to give in to temptation. In verse 6 he said, "if you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'" What makes this so interesting is that this promise was ultimately fulfilled, although not in the way Satan was expecting. In verse 11, after Jesus had endured all three temptations, the Bible says, "Then the devil went away, and the angels came and took care of Jesus." He endured the temptation. He did not give in. He did not test God's promises, and yet God fulfilled them. We can rest assured that God will not leave us stranded in the wilderness. He will come to our rescue time and time again. When we lose strength. When we lose heart. We we are weak and tired. When we are lonely and afraid. When we are broken and discouraged. God will send His angels to comfort us. The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, God Himself, will wrap His arms around us. Jesus has been where you are at. He has been in the wilderness. He has faced the fiery darts of Satan. He has been tested. He has endured the trials and temptations. He knows exactly how you feel, and He will come to your rescue when the test is finished. Endure to the end, and you will experience the unlimited promises of God.