Advantageously Prepared
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
- Matthew 4:1 (NKJ)
That scripture used to bother me… it appeared as though God might lead one into temptation and trouble… I don’t like either predicament! So I asked God about it. He loves to be asked questions – but be prepared to listen because He always answers)
I said, “it appears that these scriptures contradict themselves, because two chapters later you teach the disciples to pray: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)
Then in James it says: “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” - James 1:13-15 (NKJ)
So what is going on when it says, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”?
It is very eye-opening what He told me…
“Jessica, the Spirit did not lead Jesus into the wilderness to tempt Him -that would be stupid- but to prepare Him (set Him up for success). The Tempter is going to come to both houses; he is seeking whom he may devour. So whether you are prepared or not – Satan is coming to tempt and destroy. That is why the Spirit will lead you to a place of preparation. He sees what’s down the road and starts speaking to you: ‘Do this, read this, pray, go here. Do NOT do that, etc.
Jesus was led into a place of preparation to prepare for the same situation Adam faced in the garden. For the first Adam, he was tempted and fell. Jesus was the last Adam. It was so important He not fall into temptation. Notice He was 40 days and 40 night fasting and building Himself up on the word before the tempter came. He was ready for him. That’s why it’s important to follow the Shepherd. ‘Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.’ (II Corinthians 2:14) The Spirit of Grace is always setting you up for success. He sees what’s down the road and is maneuvering you into place, if you will yield and be sensitive to Him. He is also feeding you the word by which you will stand and not be blown off the rock by your own ‘Deceived’ choice.” - Excerpt from prayer journal March 25, 2013 God’s response to me.
These are the Last days… Be aware of things, Satan has no new tricks from the time he deceived Eve. What has your conscience been saying lately? What has God impressed on your heart over the past year(s). Don’t ignore the little things – even daily stuff like “Go to the barn, the light’s on, turn it off.” You do not realize how serious this is or what obedience leads to, or prevents from happening. In the last two articles surrounding the horses, I shared how God started preparing me for the storm ahead well in advance. It’s vital to follow the Shepherd.
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to [this] a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock [of the word]. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (NKJ)
Mark 13:33-37
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning--lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (NKJ)
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