Warriors Arise: June 18, 2021
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.
Sometimes the Spirit leads us to the enemy we have been trying to avoid. The enemy may observe us and wait for the time when he thinks we are weak. Jesus may have looked weak physically. He hadn't eaten in 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus may have looked mentally exhausted, because He was waiting for a confrontation, a battle that hadn't taken place yet. He didn't have anyone to teach. He didn't have anyone around into whom He could release the power of God for their miracle. He didn't have the thrill of victory in hundreds, if not thousands of people lives, over those 40 days. Was the buzz from His Father speaking over Him and to everyone on the day of His baptism still refreshing to Him? He had heard His Father's voice announce who He was, "This is My beloved, Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:17b)
Since Scripture states the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Do you think He knew what He was waiting for? Do you think Jesus knew who was going to meet Him? Do you think He might have thought the Spirit was taking Him to meet His Father? After this grand gesture, His Father, God Himself, speaks over Him and then Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face off with the devil.
There are times when I have this amazing God-experience. I am feeling good, thinking this is going to last me forever. Then I go through a dry spell (Jesus' fasting 40 days and 40 nights) and the enemy approaches (then the devil comes to tempt). Jesus, in His time of hunger, His body was weak and He hadn't done any miracles in over 40 days. The "rush" from releasing the love of God to His people was long gone. The food He had eaten the morning of His baptism was no longer giving Him strength. Now, the devil comes. When one is weak in their body, they are challenged in their mind; so the devil finally shows himself.
Makes me wonder, who was waiting on who? I'm guessing the devil wasn't at Jesus' baptism. He didn't hear God speak over His Son. He didn't see the Spirit descend upon Jesus. Now, that Jesus had the Spirit of God, He had the power we read about in the Old Testament. He had the power we see in Galat Ian’s 5:22 and 23. Jesus had self control and patience. The devil lost before he even approached Jesus. The waiting only made the devil cocky, making him feel like he was in control of the entire situation. But he only had three questions for Jesus. He only had challenged Jesus with three temptations. He didn't know Jesus at all. He still didn't understand God's amazing power. He probably didn't even understand the role of the Holy Spirit which is why he removed himself from leading the angels to worship God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew the Love the Father had for Him. He know the love the Father had for His people. He knew the Holy Spirit would lead Him into victory. Jesus was ready for the win! Jesus was not afraid of the devil or the temptation he would throw at Him. Jesus was confident in His purpose. Jesus knew the power of God was second to none. Jesus would follow the Spirit because He trust His Father. God would lead Him into victory over the enemy.
Father, thank you for the example of Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness. He had this amazing experience with You and then was secluded for 40 days. However, the Spirit of God leads us into triumph. I will not fear when I have had an amazing experience with You. I will not run away when it is my time to be ministered to by the Holy Spirit. I need to be filled up by the Spirit. I need to allow what You have said over me and to me to solidify within me. I want those words to be written in my heart and captured in my mind. You are my God and what You say I want to mark me. I ask for You to strengthen me when my body is weak. I ask for the Spirit to be tangible within me so I am full of self control and patience. I desire to know Your love beyond the amazing experience. I desire to be empowered while in the wilderness. You are my God. When the enemy comes I want to be ready. I do not want to mince words. I want to speak directly from the Word of God and defeat every temptation he throws at me. You are my God and I will embrace all You have for me in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. 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.
Comments