When there seems to be no hope, trust in Him.
You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Life is difficult. There are many trials and tribulations we face, some we can't understand and some we think is not fair on us. Many think that when they gave their lives to Jesus, that the path they would follow is pain-free and sweet. But if we look at the journey of Jesus when He walked the earth, was it pain-free? No. He was tempted, ridiculed, laughed at, tortured, and was hung on a cross to die for no human reason at all. When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose the narrow road. The narrow gate in which only a few find because of their willingness to lose their lives and follow Jesus (Matt 10:39).
God has promised us a life of reliance on Him. This relationship with Christ is not there just because God loves us, but because we need Him. We need God. When life gets hard we realise how much we need Him and we realise how much God loves us. We are able to stand up from the ground, dust ourselves off, and praise God for His merciful grace, His strength, and His love. Let's turn to Matthew 4 which talks about the temptation of Jesus:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
Firstly, the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness for the very purpose of being tempted by the devil. Wow. In life we go through wildernesses of temptation, grief, confusion, loneliness, anxiousness, and we don't really understand why. But as we read on, we see the reason for this trial. Three times Jesus is tempted. Three times Jesus uses the Word of God to rebuke the deception. Three times Jesus is proven to be the Son of God through His obedience to God's will. This brings me to the second point: the Word of God never ever fails. It destroys the very root of evil, it proves God's justice, and it proves that God is faithful to those who follow Him. This is told to us in the first temptation:
People do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.
This trial wasn't an easy one, in fact, Jesus was without food and water for forty days and forty nights! But in that fast, Jesus relies on God. He prays, seeks, follows, and obeys what God wants Him to do. God uses this period of temptation to grow Jesus, to transform Him, and to prepare Him for the worse Trial to come. At the end of the fortieth night, angels came and took care of Jesus (verse 11). Jesus is not left alone to bear the trial, or to find Himself food and water to eat. God intervenes, He restores, heals and shows that He is there.
Thank You Lord!
Through periods of what seems like darkness, God shines His light. When we have doubt, God is our hope. When we are lost, He finds us. When we are broken, He comforts us and transforms us into who He wants us to be. It is His will for our lives, not ours! Take a moment to just pause and think about how much you think of the future. How many times do you worry about the unexpected? How many times do you fear something is going to happen? Now, realise Who is in control of your life. Yes, Jesus! He is the One Who knows our every step before we were even formed in our mother's womb! Every second from this moment on is in God's hands! Do not fear, do not worry, God is in control! You belong to Him!
But now, this is what the LORD says - He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1
Three things we can take away from the temptation of Jesus:
1) We need to live by the Word. Psalm 119:11 says I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. God's Word never fails! It keeps us breathing, keeps us in step with God's will for us, and it equips us to do good (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
2) Trust God. Satan tests God, tests His faithfulness, but Jesus says in verse 7, You must not test the LORD Your God. Don't test God, trust Him. Begin to pursue God's will in every area of your life and celebrate the trials and victories! For it is through God that we see Him and His wonderful plans for us! (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3) Worship and serve only God. The enemy will do anything in his power to separate us from God and serve other gods and idols. He will even deceive you to worship yourself. Don't. Worship God for He is truly God! He is our Creator, our Redeemer, our Saviour, and He holds victory in His hands. Seek Him. Serve Him. Love Him. Worship Him.
The narrow road is a bumpy road. One with many highs and lows. But God remains constant through it all. Many cannot find it, but we have. We have eyes that can see and hearts that can hear - Jesus Christ is here! He is our source of peace (Eph 2:14). He is our hope (Mark 9:23). He is love (1 Cor. 13). He is our help and shield (Psalm 115:11). He is our light and our salvation (Psalm 27). He alone is God, our rock and salvation (Psalm 62).
Hallelujah! Amen! Thank You Jesus!
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Thank You Lord for Your Word that is my source of life and the rock on which I stand. Thank You Jesus for taking my worries, my sin, my mistakes, and for giving me Your grace, Your comfort, Your tender heart, and Your love. Thank You for Your faithfulness Father God. Please may You hold me when I am weak, and give me Your Word when I am anxious. May Your Name alone be glorified in all of heaven and earth! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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