In the Judean Wilderness, we don’t have to!

While listening to a sermon today, when the pastor mentioned Jesus in the wilderness, my attention was arrested, and I began to think of my Lord Jesus in that place of isolation and temptation. In 2017, Father God afforded me the opportunity to go to Israel. On the way from the Dead Sea, the tour guide pointed out the wilderness where Jesus was led and spent 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:1-11). 

A Lesson on Temptation from Jesus!

Today, as I thought of Jesus being there and how He handled the temptation, I immediately thought of my most recent challenges. In the Judean wilderness, the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God.” Stop! Jesus knew who He was and whose He was answered, “It is written.” For every solicitation from the devil to bow to sin, Jesus only responded with the Father’s word.

“If”

Is a declaration of doubt, and you should never allow circumstances to dictate your position. As a believer before Father God, He loves you!

Love Cancels Temptations Defeat

The first temptation after being told by the Father, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17).” In Matthew 4:1-10 Jesus’s temptation and His response to it is a blueprint for the believer to follow and ponder. Jesus did not sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not return reviling for reviling when He suffered; he did not threaten but committed Himself to Father God, who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:22-23).

One Lawgiver and Judge!

James 4:12

Not returning foolishness for foolishness is difficult when you’re being accused of something you didn’t do and, worse yet, to be accused in a public forum. Still, Jesus was accused publicly by His people, betrayed by one of His peers and denied by another (John 18:1-18), yet He did not open His mouth (Isaiah 53:7).

As He Jesus is, so are we in this world!

1 John 4:17

As Jesus’ position is at the Father’s right hand (Ephesians 1:20), so are we. He hears our prayers and our groans, He knows when and why we cry, remember He promised never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5). The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. His ears are open to their prayers (1 Peter 3:12), our heavenly Father sees the injustice, and He shall righteously judge; this is the confidence that we have in Him; we ask according to His will, He hears us, and we shall receive (2 John 5:14). The message I received from my most recent challenge is trust Father God!

Beloved,

The Father wants you to have a more abundant life (John 10:10). His plan is for you to experience life in a style of plenteousness. The devil’s attacks aren’t God’s plans for you. They are nothing but a distraction. Don’t be deceived! God only wants good for you! But you must invite Him in; He’s a gentleman! Speak His words as Jesus did when the tempter comes to You!