The desert is probably not the first place that comes to mind when most people fantasize about their ideal location for a nice vacation (though in a night when the temperature is somewhere around 16 below…the desert heat doesn’t sound too bad at all). However, I’m not talking about Arizona here, where we can visit the Grand Canyon or chill at a glamorous resort. The desert I’m referring to here is the thirst-inducing, vast, arid-nothingness that scorches your skin and blisters your soul.
I’m talking about the desert of the heart. It is that period of trial, when the Devil is loud and the voice of the Lord is a distant whisper. It is that time in our lives when it’s difficult to perceive God’s presence and we cannot feel His hand upon us. It is the moment when our faith is put to the test and our motives are searched.
We all go through times like this…Jesus Himself did as well. Right before the beginning of His public ministry, The Spirit led Him to the wilderness to be tested…to be tempted…in preparation for what was to come. He faced the false teaching and enticing deceit of the Evil One, and came out victorious. Armed with the truth, Jesus defeated the enemy, and so can we.
Lent has begun, so let us take this opportunity to walk in the desert, face our strongholds and experience the freedom that only Christ can offer.
Let us put on the full armor of God, and see the truth of the Word, defeat the enemy. Let us cling to the principles that bring us life. Let us cling to the God of Love. And let us not be afraid.
As we enter our personal journey, let us remember that we don’t walk alone. Jesus walks with us and He always gives us something to cling to. I am not ashamed to cling to Him and to His Love and Truth; therefore, during Lent I will meditate on some of the things I can hang on to in order to ensure a safe passage and sure footing while I travel the dry sands of my desert.
Let's walk together and discover what messages He has prepared for us this season.
Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The temptercame to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The temptercame to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
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