Warriors Arise: July 29, 2023
Matthew 4:1-2 (NKJV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
It is just like the enemy to come when our desires have kicked in. There is a reason Matthew wants us to know Jesus is hungry. Most people who have done a forty day fast have lost their appetite. They are glad they finished, but they have little of an appetite. It is more that the calendar is telling them they are done, not necessarily their body. Sure, they want the food, because they can now have it, but their body is no longer giving them fits about not being fed on a regular basis. My point to giving this information correlates with Jesus being ready to eat. He felt the hunger. Many times we can think the time set aside to fast is when we are fighting the enemy. However, I do not think it is the only reason we fast. Matter-of-fact, I don't think it is even the main reason we should fast.
We can be in situations where we are led to fast because we need God to move in a particular situation that the enemy seems to be preventing from happening. Most of the time we should be fasting to commune with God to receive clarity, wisdom, understanding, direction. We also should enter into fasting when we need to get our flesh in alignment with God. There is something about being in alignment with God where we are empowered.
Jesus spent forty days and forty nights communing with the Holy Spirit. Then He was hungry. His flesh kicked in. He was human. He wanted food and needed it. I do not see any recording of this passage that indicates Jesus was battling His flesh or the enemy during the fast. Allow it could have happened.
He was communing with the Holy Spirit. He was spending time with One He hadn't seen in thirty years. I wonder if they talked about the happenings in heaven and the battles against the enemy forces that took place over Jesus' life up to this point. There are things I want to know when I go to heaven or at least to watch the movie to see all that was happening while I was facing situations in life. I am 100% confident that there are battles being fought that I do not see. The angels are fighting demons to make sure I follow in the plans God has for me. Can't you imagine the battles being fought after Jesus was conceived? Herod sending his men to kill the baby boys two years and younger. Joseph, Mary and Jesus returning to Nazareth. The battles were only going to intensify as Jesus and His disciples would be dislodging the enemy and reclaiming territory for God's kingdom to expand.
The way Matthew says Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He became hungry, makes it seem like Jesus was so involved in communing with the Holy Spirit that He didn't realize how much time had gone by and His body let Him know He needed to eat. But before He could eat the enemy comes.
That is so like the enemy. He comes when we really don't have the time for him. We don't have the finances to fix what he has caused to break. We don't have the energy to take a stand because the last blow took all of our focus and energy. He really likes to come to tempt us at an inconvenient time. Even then, we can stand strong. We can rise and send Him away. That's what Jesus did. He is our example. We will be studying this over the next several days. I wanted to encourage you to think of fasting differently. The Holy Spirit led Him to the wilderness and they communed together. They shared stories and caught each other up on what was going on. Jesus could not see into heaven. He had no idea what was going on in the spiritual realm. Holy Spirit had no idea what it would be like to face a situation without the angels, without God, without being a deity. I wonder if it was difficult for Jesus to explain?
Can you remember when the Holy Spirit called you into a time of communing? Can you remember not wanting to leave? Can you remember time getting away from you and you missed a meal or two because you were caught up in your time with the Holy Spirit? I believe He still does this today. This is not something you plan for, it is something Spirit led. You go when He leads you.
Father, I pray I would be ready when the Holy Spirit comes to lead me to commune with Him. I pray I would know His presence. I pray I would follow. I pray I would listen. I want to know of the battles that are being fought over my destiny. I want to know the angels are fighting to break through the enemy lines so I can fulfill my calling. I want to know what You want to tell me. I want to commune with You and know Your plans. I want to be ready and willing to go with You into this time of communing. It is precious time. It is empowering. I am in awe of You. I will ready myself and go with you in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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