08/30/20
Tempted to Provide for Ourselves
John 5:30
I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
John 5:19
So Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
Matt 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Luke 4:1
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
James 1:14
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
This morning I felt like the Holy Spirit showed me something new about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The Holy Spirit led me to study Jesus’ temptation to turn stones into bread. I believe He wanted to show me another aspect of what was behind the temptation.
The Scriptures above show that Jesus, in every case, took direction, leading from the Father and the Holy Ghost. They were in perfect unity, communion, fellowship. I used to think that if Jesus was “led of the Spirit” into the wilderness, maybe He was also led of the Spirit to fast, so breaking the fast would not be a good thing. I also always thought it was merely a temptation for Jesus to do something for Himself, show off His power. In one Scripture, Jesus said He could call down “12 legions of angels. (Mat 26:53)”
But I believe the Holy Spirit showed me something as it pertains to provision. I felt led to share it, so I think it may be for someone else as well. I believe the Holy Spirit is showing me that the bread represented provision. And in this temptation, the devil is saying instead of looking to the Father for your provision, instead of following the leading of the Spirit for provision, just this once, look to me.
The devil was saying, instead of looking for supernatural guidance as it pertains to provision, consider taking one of my suggestions. To me, this was so powerful because later, the devil would take Jesus and show Him a big flashy temptation, “the kingdoms of the world.” This temptation seemed so small. It’s almost like the devil was whispering, just this once, just this little tiny thing, let me get it for you. Follow my lead just once to get this small thing.
I’m asking myself, Lord, what things, big or small am I looking to any place other than you for my provision? I’m not saying that we can’t have jobs, start businesses, look to make money. I just believe that the wisdom needed to do those things should come from God. Not out of necessity or fear, or lack of patience.
COVID-19 dried up the entertainment industry, one of the things I stepped away from “a full-time” job to pursue. As my resources have been squeezed, I have been tempted several times to take steps, “make things happen.” Prov 3:5-7 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”
We have to trust that if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, even if He leads us into a place that looks like the wilderness, He will provide for us. Just now, it was as if I heard someone say out loud, “that’s why God gave you a brain,” to counter everything I just said.
Yes, God gave you a brain, but nothing in your brain can compare with the wisdom that comes from the One that sees the end from the beginning. Our Heavenly Father is the One who knows the best path versus the paths that look good, seem right but are actually diversions, detours planned by the devil in his quest to do what he does: steal, kill and destroy.
I wasn’t going to write this, but again I felt led to write it and share it. I hope it helps someone as it simultaneously serves as a reminder to me.
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