Testing
Added 2022-05-03 11:00:03 +0000 UTCGood morning!
I was studying on “testing” and of course the best example of passing all the tests of life is Jesus.
Jesus (and I) go into the lonely wilderness in order to reveal strength (in Him) against the accuser by going through the ordeal of testing.
Matthew 4:1 TPT
Afterward, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to experience the ordeal of testing by the accuser.
I don’t know how many “wilderness” times I have gone into. Sometimes they feel very long and sometimes they ebb and flow. I don’t always recognize that I’m in the wilderness right away either. The main reason is distraction. As long as I am busy, I am not paying very close attention.
And then, I will realize, wow, I am really getting tested here. What is going on? And I realize that in the LONELY wilderness (removed from distractions) is when I find out that my only strength comes from Jesus. In my flesh, I would rather be distracted than to build character. I would rather be distracted than to feel pain. But, the only way to move into the next place is to go through the wilderness and be ok with being “lonely” for a while. Let His Word remind you of what is real, what is the truth.
Through all of the testing Jesus went through in the wilderness, He always spoke God’s truth to the enemy.
It culminated in this: But Jesus said, “Go away, Satan! For the Scriptures say: Kneel before the Lord your God and worship only him.” At once the accuser left him, and angels suddenly gathered around Jesus to minister to his needs.
What am I going to do? Avoid the wilderness or be willing to kneel before the Lord, worship Him only and grow so that the wilderness becomes a launching pad into a closer relationship with Him?
Go deeper. Grow closer to Him. He is the lover of your soul.
