Power In The Desert – Part 2

When Jesus was in the desert for forty days and nights he had nothing but the Kingdom of God, which was within him, to depend on.     He walked through the desert meditating on God, thinking about the Kingdom of God and talking to His Father.  All Earthly dependencies were taken from him; friends, family, food, shelter, everything.  Satan came tempting him to depend on the things of this world, “If you are really God’s Son, tell this stone to become bread.”

“Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” Jesus responded boldly.  Matthew 4:4

The devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the  kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” Satan told him, “If you will bow down and worship me.”

“Away from me Satan,” Jesus said. “For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Matthew 4:10

In the wilderness Jesus was tempted to take things in his own hands, turning stones to bread rather than waiting for His Father to send His angels to feed him.  He was tempted to become a slave to the kingdoms of this world rather than God.  When the tempter left Jesus the angels came and fed him with manna from heaven.

Jesus walked out of that desert anointed with great power saying, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me; Because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1NIV

God knew I was poor, broken hearted and captive to the values of this world.  His promise was to fill me with His Kingdom, heal my broken heart and provide all my needs.  “To comfort all who grieve.  To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness.”  Isaiah 61:3 NIV

When earthly dependencies were removed, we are put in a position to depend totally on God .In my days of loss He became my strength, refuge and hope.   I found joy in the Word of God rather than people, jobs and even food.  My pantry was bare, my bank account was empty and my husband was gone.    In the desert my self esteem was built on what God thought rather than what man thought.  I was no longer tossed to and fro like the waves of the ocean, but learned to stand firm on what God said.

You Are Getting a Special Sneak Preview of My New Book – Stay Tuned, Patricia