This post is one of the entries from Jody’s upcoming book, “Come Follow Me,” a year-long devotional based on her popular video podcast of the same name, to be released in the fall of 2016 by Two Worlds Press.
“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” ~ Hebrews 2:18
Just as the pillar of fire led the children of Israel through their time of testing in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit, following Jesus’ baptism, led Him to the wilderness to be tested. Israel continually failed, putting God to the test, rather than being tested themselves. I Corinthians 10:1-13 urges us to learn from their mistakes. Jesus faced the tempter and triumphed over all the works of the devil, that we might learn from His victories. Forty days of fasting preceded the temptation. That might seem to be the worst part to us. But we learn a great truth from the perspective of the Son. When the devil challenged Him to make bread for Himself, Jesus responds by saying, “”It is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”(Matthew 4:4). For forty days, Jesus had been living on every word that came forth from the mouth of His Father. He had been feasting. The lifestyle of Jesus was to only do what He saw the Father doing, and to only say what He heard the Father speak (John 5:19,12:49). So, the moment the devil began to speak, Jesus knew it was not the voice of His Father. The temptation was not about bread alone, but who will give us directions.
Question: What has the Lord used in your life to prepare you to face a trial?