Lent -Learn to trust God

Learning to ‘trust in the slow work of God,” means we have to learn to trust God in every situation we find ourselves in.  This is God’s way of preparing us. And we know, in our preparation, we experience growth.

Unfortunately, growth is uncomfortable although necessary. As we journey toward the cross, God grows us through our discomfort. Jesus knew learning to trust God was the first and most important step in His own relationship.

Reflecting on Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, I now see that God was preparing Him. But there are a few things in this story I failed to recognize.

Preparation leads to growth. 

Matthew 4:1-11 NIV reads;

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

Learn to trust God. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind;

1. “The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness…” I thought Jesus decided to go into the wilderness to pray and fast. However, now I see The Spirit led him there. This gives me a new perspective.
2. “…to be tempted by the devil.” God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. That was the purpose, to prepare Him for His future ministry. When we apply these new truths to our own lives, it should help us trust God in all things. This was preparation of Christ’s future ministry. Therefore, when you look at your current situation, God did not cause you to have cancer, make you lose your job, or bring addiction into your family. But God can and will work through these things, often preparing us for whatever follows. Whatever your situation, trust God.
3. The tempter came to Jesus after his 40 days of fasting. Two things; 1) the devil comes at our weakest moments because the devil is weak and has no real power over us. 2) God uses our weaknesses for His glory.
4. Jesus rebuked every temptation with scripture. If you want to defeat the devils in your life, know your scripture!
5. Every temptation was later used in Jesus’ ministry to glorify God. (See Commentary by the Working Preacher.)
6. The devil left and the angels came. The Bible says “resist the devil and he will flee from you.”   Hebrews indicates the angels have been sent here to minister to us.

Application leads to a new perspective.

When I sold my business to write my first book, I found myself in the proverbial ‘wilderness.’ As time went on, however, I felt like maybe I was being punished. Or maybe I had failed to learn a lesson thus keeping me here longer. It wasn’t long before my wondering turned to grumbling, and I began to relate to the Israelites (Exodus 16). Never did I think God might have led me here to prepare me for some future ministry. But that is exactly what God is doing. I am still learning to trust the slow work of God.

God prepares us like He was preparing Jesus. In that preparation, we grow and learn to trust God. Ultimately, it is about our relationship with God.  God has led us here, given us all the tools we need, including His Son to show us the way. As we continue on our own journey with Jesus, may we learn from Him, trusting God fully, knowing God is preparing and growing us for our next season. A season where we know God like He knows us. Thanks be to God!

P.S. – Leave me a comment and let me know how this message spoke to you. Forward it to a friend or share on Facebook.  Join me back here next week, as we join Jesus around the table for his last meal. -M