The Wilderness
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
Just before Jesus began His public ministry, God led Him by His Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. Please understand that God does not tempt us, but He will allow the enemy to test us. In this place of the wilderness, whatever is not of God comes out. Jesus had a short stay of only 40 days in the wilderness because there was nothing in Him that was not pure and holy.
The Israelites, however, remained in the wilderness for 40 years before they were able to enter the Promised Land. The older generation literally died there, leaving only the younger generation who had been born or raised in the wilderness to enter. Too much of Egypt still resided in the older generation for them to fully grasp what God had for them.
The word for “wilderness” in Exodus that the Israelites experienced is “midpar,” meaning driving, pasture – an open field where cattle are driven. In Matthew, the “wilderness” that Jesus experienced is “eremos,” meaning lonesome, waste, desert, desolate, solitary. Jesus was lonely in an isolated place when He experienced temptation from the Devil.
As a widow, we can easily become isolated and lonely. Those are the times the Devil will attack because we are most vulnerable when we are alone. If you have isolated yourself because of fear or intimidation, you need to resist the Devil and find some friends! If, however, God has placed you there by no maneuvering of your own, He may be allowing the Devil to test you. A good teacher doesn’t test his/her students until they are ready, so don’t be afraid. If God is allowing you to be tested, He has a Promised Land – ministry or purpose – waiting, and you will come out of that wilderness place anointed!
Set your sights on God today, and don’t let anything shake you from seeking Him. Determine to stand strong in His word, and resist the Devil. God has something wonderful waiting for you! Press through your current discomfort, knowing that God is good, and He will surely be good to you.
Have a blessed day!