No One Fights Alone
When reading Matthew 4:1-11 about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, I have to admit that I've never paid much attention to verse one: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” The phrase “led by the Spirit” stands out to me. I always imagined Jesus entering the wilderness feeling scared, but ultimately He was strong and emerged victorious, resisting the devil. But if you focus on verse one, it reminds us that the Spirit led Him there, to that appointed time. The Holy Spirit walked with Him to the trial, through the trial, and saw Him out on the other side. Jesus was never alone.
How often do we forget that as believers, we do not walk alone? In the middle of whatever life has thrown at us, it’s so hard to remember this important truth. If we claim to be filled with the Spirit during the good times, why would we forget that we are filled with the Spirit when hard times come?
Our human nature can lead us to hunker down during whatever we are facing and figure it out on our own. For many, this involves unnecessary worry and anxiety, or maybe some retreat. It may also involve replacing our time spent with the Lord with other things we consider relaxing. Maybe we are spending too much time on our phones or scrolling social media throughout the day, looking to other people for encouragement instead of realizing the Holy Spirit is right there with us.
Everyone needs rest, time off to unwind and veg out, but I encourage you to make sure that you are not relying on your own human flesh and desires to get you through your trial today. Just like Jesus stayed completely true to relying on the Word of God while He was being tempted in the wilderness, we must stay true to the Word. When anxiety, worry, fear, come knocking at our door, we should go to the Word and quote Scripture over our situation. Just like Jesus rebuked the devil in the wilderness, that is our power as well.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
As you set aside your own efforts to control the situation and instead turn to God’s Word and prayer, you’ll begin to discover the true source of strength and endurance.
If you are feeling tired and worn out today, remember that the Holy Spirit is living on the inside of you. You are not walking through life alone. You are not fighting your battle alone. As a believer, you never fight alone.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11 | Notice the strength Jesus had as he relied on the Holy Spirit and the word of God during great temptation.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill me today. Guide me through the reading of Your Word today. Let the Word of God become alive and active in my heart and circumstance today. I don’t want to walk through this day alone, I give my day to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How often do we forget that as believers, we do not walk alone? In the middle of whatever life has thrown at us, it’s so hard to remember this important truth. If we claim to be filled with the Spirit during the good times, why would we forget that we are filled with the Spirit when hard times come?
Our human nature can lead us to hunker down during whatever we are facing and figure it out on our own. For many, this involves unnecessary worry and anxiety, or maybe some retreat. It may also involve replacing our time spent with the Lord with other things we consider relaxing. Maybe we are spending too much time on our phones or scrolling social media throughout the day, looking to other people for encouragement instead of realizing the Holy Spirit is right there with us.
Everyone needs rest, time off to unwind and veg out, but I encourage you to make sure that you are not relying on your own human flesh and desires to get you through your trial today. Just like Jesus stayed completely true to relying on the Word of God while He was being tempted in the wilderness, we must stay true to the Word. When anxiety, worry, fear, come knocking at our door, we should go to the Word and quote Scripture over our situation. Just like Jesus rebuked the devil in the wilderness, that is our power as well.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
As you set aside your own efforts to control the situation and instead turn to God’s Word and prayer, you’ll begin to discover the true source of strength and endurance.
If you are feeling tired and worn out today, remember that the Holy Spirit is living on the inside of you. You are not walking through life alone. You are not fighting your battle alone. As a believer, you never fight alone.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11 | Notice the strength Jesus had as he relied on the Holy Spirit and the word of God during great temptation.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill me today. Guide me through the reading of Your Word today. Let the Word of God become alive and active in my heart and circumstance today. I don’t want to walk through this day alone, I give my day to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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1 Comment
Good, good, & timely reminder, thanks!