4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:
'He shall give His angels charge over You,
To keep You,'
11 "and,
'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' " 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
NKJV
In the Blog: That YOU MIGHT have PEACE through THE STORM, we looked at how Jesus remained in peace. He was sweating blood in those last hours He prayed for that which was a storm. He was facing death, He was facing the enemy...........and nothing was found wanting in Him. He was the spotless sacrifice. He did not refuse to go to the Cross!
How many of us today, want to fight at the first hint of someone speaking dislike against us, our opinions or our character?
In the passage above, we see Jesus come into the desert from being baptized and with others like John the Baptist, to coming to that which is desolate. In today's society people can feel desolate, so isolated even though there could be hundreds around them. Why?
For one thing, man was never meant to be an island to himself. Man was to be a part of a family. In referring back to the passage, satan was addressing first to the needs of the man. He was pointing to Jesus the need for food. Are we not that way today? What's for dinner and we just finished lunch! But Jesus charged him with truth that man was not to live eating only bread but also by every word that comes from God. But how many today get charged up over some "rally" that speaks of no life to anyone, including those giving the rally? If tempers are flaring up, then why? Jesus does not appear to be hot-tempered, but He does appear focused and armed for anything the devil would bring in questioning Him.
He was questioned "If you are the Son of God"..........Jesus again pointed it back to God and His commands.
Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'
From the book of Deuteronomy we find in chapter 6:16-17 "You shall not tempt and try the Lord your God as you tempted and tried Him in Massah. You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God and His exhortations and His statutes which He commanded you.
When we look at the passage about Massah in Exodus 17:7, we find this. "And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?"
The Amplified has this: " He called the place Massah [proof] and Meribah [contention] because of the faultfinding of the Israelites and because they tempted and tried the patience of the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"
Yes, Jesus had to have known of this scripture.........from readings of the first five books of the Pentatuech or the Law of Moses. (also known as the Torah). Jesus was not going to go against anything God the Lord was doing. He kept His peace and pointed the devil back to God! Do you think the devil was mad? Of course he was and would find those who he could use to fan the flame of hostility, dislike and much contention toward Jesus.
Yes, the desert was a place of confrontation. It came in the form of Jesus standing against having to prove anything of His own, but was always giving proof that God was to be served and always first in everything.
The desert is a place of sand, scorpions, many snakes and loneliness. It is comprised of those creatures that are willing to live with wind driven sand, scorpions and yes snakes and no doubt loneliness.
I remember a trip long ago to Disneyland. In our quest to go west and visit the playland of America, I was a teen. I remember the excitement and all the hoopla surrounding the trip there and back. In the time back, and stopping in a desert place for a picnic, I thought of the noise, all those people in lines and the loud voices. But in this place, I heard the quiet. I heard the sound of much sand being driven along by a soft breeze. As the sun started it's decent into the western sky, I looked toward the east and saw the light fading quickly, and wondered about the loneliness that would consume that place so soon. I thought of how when we would take our leave, gathering our trash up, those cans of pop, and take the last sack to the trash bin and taking our appointed seats in the car to leave this tranquil scene. How fast would our footprints would be covered over by the sand that continued its dance around those platforms of concrete that held those picnic tables on a level plain.
Back to the passage above, Jesus had to have been disciplined in the Word of God as He was Jewish. He had the heritage and was seen at age 12 asking questions at Jerusalem. See below:
Luke 2:43-50
43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
NKJV
And so it was, Jesus was found in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. It even states in verse 48........that His parents were amazed at Him! Did they not know this about their son? How could they not see it? Jesus knew He needed the time with those scholars. Jesus knew He needed that teaching to the place He was destined.
Yet, we find they were amazed at seeing Him doing this! We hope our grand-child is seated in the midst of teachers like Jesus was and to see her asking questions and that she too, will astonish people at her understanding and answers concerning the SCRIPTURES.
In the broken society of today, so many young adults have no foundation of family. They have no one to turn to in the event of sickness or death of a single parent. Many youth and young adults are found living on the streets of every large city in this country! Why?
In all this, these can be bombarded by those who seek to destroy them, and how they gain their trust is to start testing them in that "wilderness" area and find what they really want. And like most who live and die, many want to have some authority. They want their name known in the work place, should they have a job. Many of course, want authority in the home or in that place where a few may gather to call it a home life. And again, if there is no foundation of home life with both parents, some youth fall into the hands of those who live outside the community to lead those into bonds of more bondage to that of "gangs" who would have the "new" member believe that they are now family!
Like Jesus being tested in the wilderness, Jesus had the discipline of knowing Father God and where He put His trust.
In the above scriptures we find the Israelites needing proof that God was among them. Yet they had seen the miracles and did not continue to believe, but the brutal elements of the wilderness, that desert area, brought reality to them, they could die out there. They had no trust in anyone but themselves. Even as the group, we had seen them trying to make bricks without straw....in the events leading them out of Egypt. It was each man gathering for straw which could not be found and making something that would not last.
In this tight net group of people, they still held on that which they knew by their own strength and power. Is that not what we see today? People want respect, honor, authority, and the only leadership with that comes from God Himself. You will even hear people speak, "Well he is a self-made man!" And there are those who can come to the top of some thing, but in reality is a house of cards, a castle made of sand that will not stand in any long term of time.
Jesus held to truth in whatever group of people He was facing. It all started in the desert with one devil and ended up by the end by meeting with many devils.
Jesus did not remain isolated, with His own views, He took those of the Father to the world. He faced the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And we should be willing to do the same. "Well, Shelley, not everyone believes as we do!" And you would be right. Ours is to pray for those in our community who can have their eyes open to the oppression they are in. Although some may venture to say they are not the oppressed.
Jesus heard those questioning who His Father was...........""Whose your daddy?"
Matthew 13:53-58
53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 And when He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
NKJV
6:1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
NKJV
I think of those I have come in contact with over the last 18-20 years who have the most awesome of testimonies. I think of those who have been changed so dramatically by the hand of God. We had met a group of young people on their way to Missouri back in 1995. They had broke down on the side of the road of the Interstate outside Billings, Montana. My husband just happened to be there on that day.......Billings, and was driving home along Interstate 90 about 3:30 pm. He saw this group standing along side this hill top and drove by, but slowed all the while looking into his rear mirror, and being prompted by the Spirit of God to give " them help". Well, he moved to the side of road and backed up to help them! He looked it over, told them what he thought it needed, then helped get their vehicle to the next town, getting water for the overheated radiator......and calling me to let me know we had "guests" coming for dinner. Well, they came in by 5:30 pm. They had the story to tell, and how God had my husband show up to "help". They were on their way to school, to get their pastorals. Each had a fire of God on them. They ate dinner and talked non-stop about the plan God had for them. Yes, we got them off on their way. And we saw them the next time ( several months later) they came through. Yes, at dinnertime we heard the dramatic reports of all that God was doing in and through them.
Who was their daddy? How could such young ones speak with the wisdom of God? Because they knew the FATHER and had that relationship with Him they esteemed very highly. We saw this with Jesus.
What we saw in like our young friend Isaiah and all his friends, we saw in Jesus, and they were all kept by the Spirit of the Living God to do what needed to be done for God's plan. They stayed in peace.
In addressing that which the devil spoke in Psalm 91............he said.....10 For it is written:
'He shall give His angels charge over You,
To keep You,'
11 "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
But in the actual text in Psalm 91.........it states "For He shall give His angels charge over you , to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
What the devil left out that we can see here by visiting this scripture.................."in all your ways."
" Well, in what ways," ................ skipping down to verse 14-16.......gives us the answer................" Because he ( Shelley, Shelley's husband, Shelley's grandchild...) have set their love upon God therefore it is God WHO WILL DELIVER ( Shelley, her husband, grand-daughter) for God will set us on high because we have KNOWN HIS NAME. (GOD'S NAME)
We call upon God, and He will answer each of us, God will be with us in trouble; God will deliver us, honor us............give us long satisfying life and His salvation for us. Amen.
Psalm 91:14-16
14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation."
NKJV
Acts 16:6-10
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (them: gentiles)
NIV
So thankful that the Gospel was sent to the gentiles. So thankful to be added to the family of God. So thankful for the opportunity to give a testimony of the goodness of God. For whatever our days allotted to us, may we sound out His goodness, not by the temporary, that which is passing away, but by the eternal way. Like Paul, and like Jesus, the great sacrifice, our peace comes by abiding in Him. That peace is violent, takes peace by force, not as the world, but that which remains abiding in the Father Who spoke into chaos and brought life out of it in the beginning.
May that light shine in that which seems dark today in our understanding. The only time we are to be spectators is when are in that place in God that holds us by His Word. That Word brings peace to every circumstance we may face. I know, I have seen that Word work in my life. Making the Lord our refuge, our place of safety, no evil befalls you or me. No tornadoes or seismic activity should reach our home. But if a tremor is felt, understand what you believe in will rule. If our trust is truly in God and trouble ( any danger ) is coming, then we must obey Him. Stay out of harms way, and believe Him to do the impossible for you. For He will give His angels charge over us to accompany and defend us and cause us to persevere in ALL OUR WAYS OF OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WAYS. AMEN!
FOR Jesus, it looking like total destruction, but He walks today. He looks over those who have trouble. As with Stephen, the righteous man, who was stoned to death.
Acts 7:55-58
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
NKJV
Father, thank You for the peace that passeth our understanding. That peace is a force, and it is more that is detrimental to the devil. Speaking opinions is one thing, but boasting about one's own success is giving the importance to one man or to the one woman. But the peace we really need, not that in our doing of things, but in obeying You and acting on that truth. Father, may all our ways of obedience to You be seen in our lives. May we look into that perfect law of liberty that gives a glimpse of life everlasting with no harm, no plagues, no goofiness from the enemy. Help us to be the diligent to look over that Word and get it into our hearts so we are not deceived by the devil. Jesus was the equipped and knew he (the devil) was trying to put something over Jesus. But Jesus was the learned. He was discipled by God! (Isaiah 50:4-6) I pray that we would have that tongue of the learned and know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit Who will awaken us morning by morning to hear with our ears. For it is YOU Who has opened our ears to hear Your voice. I pray that any who really desire Your peace will not be the rebellious and not away from truth, but face YOU and receive all that YOU would speak into our hearing ears. Today, we pray to be those who will support others who may have trials or tribulations weighing them down. Strengthen our hearts for the battle ahead and give patience as we wait on You. We pray to be those who rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation and continuing steadfast in prayer. (Romans 12:12) as we live this journey, help us to reach others with encouraging words that give life. Help us to be the "kind" when we are needing to make decisions that involve other people's lives. We are not the "island", we are people who need people around us. Not those who will prop us because we whine or need that shoulder everyday, but because we are here to encourage those who need encouraging and those who might need a correction by love in walking the right pathway. Though we walk in the mist of trouble, You preserve our lives. Stretch out YOUR hand against the anger of our foes, with YOUR right hand You save us. Lord fulfill YOUR purpose for us. YOUR Love, O Lord endures forever---do not abandon the works of YOUR hands. Amen.
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
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