Daily Devotional – Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1 (NKJV)
Whenever we face hard times, we often blame the devil for setting up traps to derail us from our heavenly journey. There is some truth in that belief, but the evil one does not initiate all temptations. Indeed, God allows temptations in our lives with the goal of growing our faith in Him.
The Holy Spirit Leads Jesus to the Battlefield
No less a person than the Son of Man illustrates this fact. Fresh from baptism, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1). The Holy Spirit Himself led Jesus to the desert to face Satan’s temptations. The devil did not initiate this situation. God did.
Moreover, God allowed the devil to tempt Jesus after the latter had fasted for forty days and forty nights. Hence, by the time Satan presented the first temptation, Jesus was already weak. The Lord, though, succeeded where Adam and Eve failed by refusing to indulge their appetites at the behest of the evil one.
Tools for Holistic Growth
Having defeated the devil, Jesus was now ready to begin His ministry of saving souls. Had He succumbed to Satan’s enticements, He would not have qualified to die for humanity. Thus, he set an example for us on the need to rely fully on God and His principles and promises as stated in the Bible.
Like Jesus, we will go through temptations. God ordains some of these challenges for our good. Our moments of perplexity and helplessness reveal our areas of weakness and lead us to the foot of the cross, where help awaits. When we face trying situations, we become resilient and resolute. God ordained temptations are His tools for our holistic development.
When God Allows Temptations
Therefore, whenever you face tough moments, do not curse, blame, or quit. Do not wish the temptation would go away. Rather, ask God for strength to overcome even as you grow stronger. Further, rejoice that God allows temptations in your life because it proves He values you immensely.
Prayer
Dear Father, whenever You allow temptations into my life, teach me how to remain patient and faithful to you and to emerge victorious.
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This is my prayer in Jesus name
Be blessed, Pastor.
God help me overcome temptations today,so I can be fit for His service.
Amen, Elder.