Warriors Arise: July 27, 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.
This is such a sweet picture in my mind. That we know of, the Holy Spirit hasn't spent time with Jesus in a little over thirty years. Now, they are together again. He leads Him to a quiet place just for the two of them. Scripture says He brought Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil; however, there was time. There was forty days and forty nights before the devil came to tempt Jesus. They both know what Scripture has said is ahead for Jesus. They know the hard, betrayal, and atrocities He will face. Before Scripture begins to unfold, I could totally believe the Holy Spirit was taking this time to reconnect with Jesus, reignite His purpose, and reestablish His course of action. Even though Jesus would be hurt by the people, He was now human and reminded that the people were not the enemy. The enemy was and the enemy is the devil.
I wonder when Paul was writing to the Ephesians if he was thinking of Jesus. Even though people caused Jesus much harm and were extremely hurtful, He didn't attack the people. He knew the devil was behind the actions of the people.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
How many times do we find the disciples looking for Jesus and He is praying. Then John writes a couple of Jesus' prayers for all people, for all the world. Paul could have been thinking about what He had heard of Jesus when He wrote the Ephesians. He might have even heard John tell of Jesus' prayers. Jesus knew the enemy was the devil.
For the Holy Spirit to lead Jesus out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, allowed Jesus to recognize the work of the devil and his tactics. This meeting, in the wilderness, was very strategic. It was not an accident. It was purposeful. One of the things Jesus learned was how the devil operates. He learned the types of temptations the devil used on others. But, Jesus didn't cave. He stood His ground because He was prepared to face the devil. This time it would not be with swords as when Lucifer was cast down from heaven. This time it would be with righteousness and the devil doesn't have any. He is extremely recognizable, because he is the one without any righteousness.
This is strategic. God gave Jesus the gift He needed to be prepared for the temptation the devil was going to use to entice Him. God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't make the Holy Spirit fight for Him. Jesus received the Holy Spirit and they communed and prepared for forty days and forty nights before the devil came to tempt Jesus.
I believe the Holy Spirit knows when the devil is going to tempt us. I believe He calls us to commune with Him so you and I can be prepared to defeat the devil. We need the Holy Spirit to prepare, guide, and position us in Christ so we can defeat the devil.
Father, I am thankful for the Holy Spirit. I receive You, Holy Spirit. I pray I am in tune with You and Your leading. I never want to fight the devil without You. I want to commune with You and be prepared for the temptations the devil comes with. I ask for You to teach me of righteousness. As I know righteousness, I will know what is not righteousness. I want to align myself completely with You and Your leading. When You call me to spend time with You I know I will need it. I will grow stronger as God's ambassador and walk His path. I will not be overcome by temptation. I will know Your ways and walk with You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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