Life in the Wild

In Matthew 4, we find Jesus in a desolate place. What’s interesting about these circumstances is how He got there. The text says He was “led by the Spirit” into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.

It’s tempting to think once we choose life in God, everything somehow magically falls into place. But, anyone with a beating pulse knows this isn’t the way life works, and this story proves it. The truth is anyone tested and tried by the wilderness will be better for it. Life can have challenging seasons, moments that make us or break us.

The wilderness doesn’t leave margin for middle ground; we either buckle from exhaustion or rise to overcome it. As Jesus faced His wilderness, He also taught us how to conquer our own. How? When the tempter came and lied to Him, He remembered His Father’s words. When His physical body was weak, His Spirit was made strong by speaking God’s truth. Jesus showed us how to conquer our confusion when times get tough by remembering and reciting the very words of God.

Think: How would you describe Jesus’ time in the wilderness? How is His experience similar to or different from the types of wilderness experiences (or difficult times) that people walk through today?

Pray: Are you currently in a wilderness season? If so, ask God to remind you of His Word and His promises. If you aren’t experiencing the wilderness now, who do you know that is? Spend some time praying for them as they journey through it.

Respond: Jesus demonstrated to us the importance of knowing God’s Word in order to resist temptation and make it through the wilderness. What promises of God do you need to hold on to in this season? Pick out a Scripture verse to memorize (maybe even from today’s reading) to remind you of this promise.

Author: Casey Parnell, Creative Director