DS Devotional Day 4

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Sunday - 9:30AM Bible Study, 10:30AM Worship Service | Saturday - Devo 10:30AM

by: Wayne Vaughan

08/08/2020

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Day 4: Purposeful Wilderness

Matthew tells us that Jesus was actually led by the Spirit into the wilderness (4:1).  It was immediately after his baptism.  It must have been quite a moment for Jesus.  John the Baptist recognized him as the coming one, the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove, and God, Himself, spoke from heaven to confirmed, “This is my Son, whom I love.”  What an incredible personal moment for Jesus!  His heart must have been bursting with joy as the witness of John, the Spirit, and the Father all confirmed that he was the One sent from God to bring the gift of salvation to the world.

How strange that immediately after that time of confirmation and celebration, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness “to be tempted by the devil.”  I certainly could understand if Jesus went to the wilderness for a holiness retreat with his Father.  I could even understand if Jesus went into the wilderness to study the Scriptures in preparation for the ministry that was coming.  But, why would God intentionally lead Jesus to the wilderness so that the devil could take a few whacks at him?

I suppose there could be several good answers to that question; but, one I would like to propose is this: until our devotion to God has been tested, God cannot know if we can be trusted.

This season of testing due to the Coronavirus may be God’s time of testing us because He is preparing us for the work that He wants to do through us.  This may be the season in which God is figuring out who He can trust.  Who will be faithful to worship Him when we cannot go to church?  Who will be faithful to support the church’s mission and ministry when we cannot gather with friends and family in a specific place?  Who will be joyful and intentional in serving Him when we have to be motivated only by ourselves?  Who will lead their families to worship and service when there are no church fun and games to attract them?  Who will come out of this time of testing “sharp and gleaming” and who will come out of this time “dull and rusted”?

If the Father had to let the Son be tested before He knew he could be trusted, what is this time of testing telling the Father about you?

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Day 4: Purposeful Wilderness

Matthew tells us that Jesus was actually led by the Spirit into the wilderness (4:1).  It was immediately after his baptism.  It must have been quite a moment for Jesus.  John the Baptist recognized him as the coming one, the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove, and God, Himself, spoke from heaven to confirmed, “This is my Son, whom I love.”  What an incredible personal moment for Jesus!  His heart must have been bursting with joy as the witness of John, the Spirit, and the Father all confirmed that he was the One sent from God to bring the gift of salvation to the world.

How strange that immediately after that time of confirmation and celebration, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness “to be tempted by the devil.”  I certainly could understand if Jesus went to the wilderness for a holiness retreat with his Father.  I could even understand if Jesus went into the wilderness to study the Scriptures in preparation for the ministry that was coming.  But, why would God intentionally lead Jesus to the wilderness so that the devil could take a few whacks at him?

I suppose there could be several good answers to that question; but, one I would like to propose is this: until our devotion to God has been tested, God cannot know if we can be trusted.

This season of testing due to the Coronavirus may be God’s time of testing us because He is preparing us for the work that He wants to do through us.  This may be the season in which God is figuring out who He can trust.  Who will be faithful to worship Him when we cannot go to church?  Who will be faithful to support the church’s mission and ministry when we cannot gather with friends and family in a specific place?  Who will be joyful and intentional in serving Him when we have to be motivated only by ourselves?  Who will lead their families to worship and service when there are no church fun and games to attract them?  Who will come out of this time of testing “sharp and gleaming” and who will come out of this time “dull and rusted”?

If the Father had to let the Son be tested before He knew he could be trusted, what is this time of testing telling the Father about you?

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