LED BY THE SPIRIT
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” Matthew 4:1-2, ESV
Theme: The Spirit of God may lead you (as He led Jesus) to fast for a season of preparation or during hardship so that you may clearly understand His will for your life.
INTO WILDERNESS SUFFERING
Jesus, after His baptism and before He started His ministry, heard God His Father say, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, NIV). What a spiritual high to hear God Himself say such words of approval! This was acceptance not based on performance but identity—being God’s Son; being God’s delight.
Jesus carried those words, which He totally knew and believed, in His heart as He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to purposefully face testing from Satan. Wilderness is a place of discomfort and isolation. Jesus chose to fast with purpose to honor and focus on the greater need for true life of spiritual food over physical food. After 40 days, His hunger pains had to be severe, causing significant physical and emotional weakness. He was in a state of starvation. His body must have been screaming at Him to eat.
INTO TRUE OBEDIENCE
In this weakened state, Satan's first words of attack were directed at the heart by sowing a seed of doubt about Jesus' true identity: “IF you are the son of God” (Matthew 4:3, NIV) followed by an invitation to act on how Jesus could meet His own needs instead of depending on God’s provision.
Our bodies need food, but how often does food become more than just food? If we are honest, we go to the pleasure of food as well as other things of this world to satisfy our hearts. Especially during a wilderness season of life, we turn to physical comforts instead of depending on God’s Word and provision for life.
Jesus believed His Father’s words as truth, so Satan’s words held no power. With His heart satisfied and identity secure, He was able to resist Satan's temptation and obey, displaying great self-control. Jesus quoted Scripture to combat temptation. Scripture was His food. Doing God’s will was His food.
FOR OUR SALVATION
If we were in that wilderness and had the power to turn stones into bread, we would have done it. Yes, you would! I would have, too. Jesus fully obeyed God’s will in the wilderness. He took our sinful disobedience to the cross as His own and gave us His obedience to be our own, just as though we had done it ourselves. When we trust in God' s provision for salvation instead of our own efforts, we become His children. Then God sees us as He sees Jesus: His beloved children in whom He delights. Now that is real food for the soul.
Make It Personal: “I am_____.” What is the first thing you would put in that blank? Now erase that and write; “I am God’s beloved child with whom He is well pleased. He delights me.” Do you believe that? It’s what your heart truly longs for, and it is true. Choose a time to fast but be sure to feed your soul, by reading, studying, focusing on and praying Scripture. Focus on Jesus, not so much as your example although He is that—but focus on Jesus as your Savior till your heart is satisfied. Keep reminding yourself of who you are in Christ (God’s delight) and then you will be prepared to face your wilderness with growing obedience.
Pray: Thank You, Jesus, for living the perfect life, resisting temptation, and giving me Your record of perfect obedience. Because of You, I have a secure place of delight in God’s eyes which can never be taken away. Help me to feed my soul on God’s written Word—which is all about You—till I am satisfied, giving me strength to obey.
Read: Matthew 3:17, 4:1-4, 6:25-24; John 4:34, 6:33-35,51
Weekly Memory Verse: “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24, ESV