Hey friends! Welcome back to FACETS. We have been discussing what it looks like to have an enemy that is trying to silence us, and both Tracy and Jen had awesome things to share the past couple weeks. Take a look back at their posts here, and here. Whether we feel like we are battling the enemy mentally, physically, or even feel like we are wandering alone in the wilderness, we have a God who offers a way out. I encourage you to check back again next week when we get to hear from this month’s guest, Tammy!
I have been working my way through the gospels the last couple of months, considering how Jesus lived out His life and how that might change how I live out mine. Jesus demonstrated the importance of finding solitude with God. He showed us how to love the marginalized. He provided an example of teaching with authority. And He reminded us there is an enemy, an enemy that will try and separate us from God.
In Matthew 4:1-11, we find Jesus in the wilderness:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “`He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ “
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
There are so many things in these 11 verses: the Spirit, an enemy, vulnerability, testing, temptation, deceit, and ultimately victory. Jesus was victorious over the enemy! Praise God, It isn’t impossible, because sometimes it feels impossible!
The Wilderness
Wilderness: an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region (Oxford English Dictionary).
An inhospitable region. It is a place that is literally difficult to survive.
When the enemy sees us in community he must think “hey, this would be easier if I could get them separated first.” I believe we have a significantly different experience in the wilderness when we are divided or alone. There is strength in community.
Let’s take a walk together. Imagine we are wandering through a hilly forest preserve, full of trees, winding trails, beautiful flowers, and chirping birds. We find a spot where we can sit on some rocks and enjoy the view for a bit. We start walking back to our car as it is beginning to get dark. There is suddenly a loud snap of twigs and some rustling just next to us. We stop and look around to try and identify the noise.
Think of how you might feel at that moment. Now, replay the story, but you are alone. Wandering on your own when you hear the snap and rustling just next to you. You stop, and the noise stops. You look around and you don’t see anything. You move and you hear it again. You look around for reassurance, but all you have is what is running through your mind.
How were you feeling at that moment? Scared? Alone? Vulnerable? I think these are some of the wildernesses that the enemy finds us in, and then he speaks into those fears, magnifies the isolation, and exploits our vulnerabilities.
Surviving the Wilderness
If the enemy is ultimately trying to silence us, then how do we fight back? How can we conquer the wilderness – whether it be fear, isolation, weakness, grief, deceit, or any other lie that distances us from God?
Remember you are not alone
Whether you are in a community of friends, surrounded by strangers, or by yourself, you are never truly alone.
The Lord himself will go before you, and he will be with you. He never leaves you, nor forsakes you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Seek Truth in God’s Word
Look back up at Matthew 4, and see how Jesus replied to every one of the enemy’s statements. He knew God’s word, and He filtered everything He was hearing through that truth. When the enemy offered Him a way out of His situation that may have sounded somewhat reasonable or at least tempting, He knew where to turn to find the whole truth. When it didn’t line up with what He knew, He could identify the lie.
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The more we become familiar with God’s word, and by associated God himself, the more we are equipped.
Call on God for rescue
What did Jesus do when he was alone in the wilderness? He called on the name of His father, the devil left Him, and the angels attended Him. Jesus came to earth, lived, died on the cross, and was resurrected, so that we too could have access to God. Not just Him. Not just those that are perfect, but any of us that believe can cry out to God, and we know He will hear.
Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15
We have access to cry out to our Father for rescue, a promise that He will hear us, He will never leave us, and that we do not have to fear. Do you know what is great about being on this side of the resurrection? We already know the end of the story. We know God is ultimately victorious. We know He wins. We know the enemy is ultimately defeated.
