“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1 NIV).
You’ve just experienced a spiritual epiphany, one that was confirmed by the Father and witnessed by your family, congregation, colleagues. This is a moment of transformation and one where your calling has not only been affirmed but reaffirmed.
To bask in the warmth of the Father’s smile is invigorating and you are energised for service, great service for Him. There is excitement as you prepare for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
But instead of “He leads me beside the still and quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2 AMP), you find yourself in a situation where the lusts of the flesh threaten to end your career. Hot on its heals, you are overwhelmed by the lust of the eyes, and materialism overwhelms you.
As if desire and materialism were not enough, you are now the centre of attention and the pride of life creeps around you like bindweed twisting and turning in the darkened corners of your mind.
You are in a dark place. Rough terrain. The wilderness. You are alone with the ‘enemy of souls’. And you’ve been ‘led by the Spirit’ into this place. But it’s not what you’d ever class as a Spirit-filled place.
This is not the Pentecost where, “…they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1-4 NIV).
This is not the Upper Room with the warmth of familiar faces and hospitality. This is the barrenness, rugged terrain, danger-filled wilderness. And you are alone… with the enemy who “… is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack” (1 Peter 5:8 CEV).
God sometimes leads us in green pastures when we need it. As the Shepherd, He guides and nurtures. There is comfort in His protecting care.
But His Spirit refines us and moulds our character by leading us into the wilderness, where our companion, the Word of God, assists us to overcome wilderness temptations.
Often at the start of new God-given assignments, you will face your greatest trials in the form of temptations. Be open and aware to the Spirit’s leading, be alert to the enemy who seeks to destroy you and delve into the Word of God when tempted.
Prayer
Father, We love when You lead us beside still waters, we love our souls restored. Like new-borns, we delight in the nurture and are soothed by the calming rhythms of water inhabited by moorhens and Canada geese. Idyllic.
Instead, You invite us into the rugged terrain of temptation and then You seem to disappear. In the darkness, our flesh desires more and our eyes want more, and our ego demands feeding.
In these moments, bring your Word to our minds to encourage, reprove and bless.
Amen.