Wisdom from the Wilderness - Part 2

So we know that Jesus was "led" into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tested by the enemy. I don't think any of us like to be tested. However, it is a part of the growth process and God is always growing us up. Let's take a closer look at Jesus in the wilderness and see what wisdom we can gain from Matthew 4:2-4 (NIV):

"After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."

Notice that Jesus fasted. He was not just praying, but intensely seeking God to the point He denied His own flesh for 40 days! A question to ask ourselves is, if we realize we are in the wilderness, how serious are we willing to seek God?

"The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

The enemy tests Jesus' identity and submission to the Father. The enemy knew He was the Son of God (and Jesus did too), but he was trying to get Jesus to act out of His flesh and not by God's leading and timing. How often are we tempted to do just that when we're in the wilderness? We need to check our motives and heart to make sure that we are not doing things our way, but rather submitting to God's ways.

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

The definition in the Greek for "word" above is "rhema" which means "that which is said or spoken, an utterance." This is not just the written Word on a page, but the Word that comes to life in our spirit. It was that Word that was alive in Christ that gave Him the victory over the enemy as He said over and over, "It is written..." Jesus was basically saying that His food was to be in communication with the Father. The most important thing in our relationship with God is the ability to hear Him speak.

Pray this with me: Lord, give me a holy hunger that I will seek you more than ever before. Holy Spirit, may I hear You speak, obey Your leading and trust Your timing. Even if the process is painful, it is purposeful. Therefore, my mouth will sing Your praise!!