Luke 4:1-2
O: (Luke 4 is a great passage where Jesus uses Scripture to counter the devil's attacks on Him, but I decided not to reiterate on that point) I wonder what evidence there is when someone is full of the Holy Spirit - some images that come to mind is like a glowing, powered up superhero...but I'm guessing that it's probably not that, lol.
He was led around the wilderness for forty days. That's just plain ridiculous. I don't remember the last time I was led around the wilderness, but I certainly understand that sometimes my current life situations are pretty much in that mold. For example, while attending school-I have been utterly discouraged due to the trouble I've had coming to, working to obtain, and getting through: classes. For one, the commute is mind-blowing. Two, I've no chance of getting half of my classes due to a heavy wait list. Three, the class I was able to obtain has been dropped because of a registration mistake. I'm trying my best to contain the situation, but I realized in my crippling anxiety that God is sovereign and I just need to continue work diligently towards my goals (Application) without trying to control it.
Anyhow, if Jesus was frustrated (which I'm sure he was), I sure as hell would relate with him. Sure, wandering the desert and not eating for 40 days while being tempted by the devil actually puts my current standing in perspective, but I'm sure He wasn't skipping around, singing kum bay ya.
One interesting portion of this passage that sticks out is how they emphasize that Jesus was hungry after the 40 days of being tempted and not eating. The transliteration of the word "hunger" is peinaō, meaning to metaphorically ardently crave/desire and hunger for-who wouldn't be hungry after 40 days? To top that off, the temptation would have pushed me over the edge, that is without a doubt.
A: To have read on, Jesus did endure the severe conditions of temptation and hunger and did it on the basis of relying upon what "...is written." I will face my current standing as He did-trust that the Spirit leads me where I should be led...and should the storms of life approach me (as they do now), I will fill myself with the Word in preparation to combat doubt and anxiety that may cause me to fall to my temptation or my hunger (well...metaphorically). He walked the desert, and so shall I-the same Spirit that led Christ leads me...and the Word is still as sharp as it was back then, that it would repel the devil, himself.
P: Father, it is truly a difficult time. It's only been two days and I'm beginning to despair. Honestly, I know that it's completely out of my hands-Teach me to trust that the wilderness is not some place where I can lay flat and think that it will blow over. I will try my best right now, but it truly is Your Spirit that leads me to make wise decisions and trust in Your plan. Guard my heart in Christ, because my heart is in complete chaos-I don't even know what to do...other than to be faithful and to wait upon You. May Christ's blood cover my sins as I repent of my ways-I want to be filled with the Spirit, trusting just as Christ did. I understand that my scope of things is so limited and that You have a greater plan in sight. I pray that I would walk out of my wilderness, weak and tired-but glorifying You and relying upon You as my physician. In Christ, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
