Key scripture- “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1).

There is a common teaching going around today that says if you do all the right things in your Christian life, you will be blessed and never experience problems in your life. That type of teaching is heresy. The Bible says that we will encounter many problems during this lifetime. Peter told us “you must endure many trials for a little while,” and it is through these trials that our faith will be shown to be genuine, then “when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Just like Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil, God leads you and me into the desert. The desert is a place to learn something about ourselves. It is the place where we determine if we will truly live by every Word of God, not by bread alone. When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded to every temptation by citing what the Word of God said about that temptation.

That is also the way you and I must respond to the temptations/trials that are brought our way. We must have the Word of God written into our hearts in order to know how to respond to each situation. The Bible says, “the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). But in order to be free, we must know and do the will of God and that is what allows us to live free from the temptation of evil.

The desert is also a place where the devil will speak loudest because you are in a place of weakness and the comforts of your normal life are not to be found. It is a place where you think that God is often silent because you are not seeing the answers to your prayers, but it ends up being a place where God speaks to you the loudest. The word desert comes from the Hebrew word “dahbaar” which means “to speak.”

If God has placed you in the desert, start your day by getting alone with God, talk to Him about what you are going through, and meditate on the Word of God so that you can withstand the trial in the desert place. Ask Him to show you what He is wanting to change in you and reveal to you through this trial. He will show you and He will also give you the strength and courage that you need, because when you are weak He is strong.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for always being there for me, for never forsaking or abandoning me. I know that You are using this trial, which will only last a little while, to change me and make me more like Jesus, perfect and complete lacking in nothing. Give me the wisdom and strength that I need in this trial, and pour Your Spirit on me. I will not be afraid or discouraged because I know, that I know, that I know You will be with me. You won’t give up on me; You won’t leave me. Strength and courage will be with me. I will ponder and meditate on Your Word day and night, making sure I practice everything written in it. Then I will get where I am going; then I will succeed. Father, I know that as You look me in the eyes face to face you are saying to me “My child, haven’t I commanded you? Haven’t I told you what I will do for you? Then believe me. Don’t be afraid; Don’t be timid; Don’t get discouraged. I am God, I am your God, and I am with you every step you take, I will strengthen you.” In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.