“The Spirit sent [Jesus] out into the wilderness, and He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended Him” (Mark 1:12-13).
Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thank You for Your compassion—though we fall far short of Your glory, (Romans 3:23), You have delivered us from sin, death, and destruction. Thank You for Jesus, our Great High Priest who offered Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile us to You. Thank You that He became one of us, coming to live among us, walking through everything we could ever encounter.
We are grateful that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
We thank You that Jesus showed us how to rely on Your strength in the wilderness experiences of life. He taught us to pray, "Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13 - NKJV), because He knew firsthand the ruthless schemes of "[our] adversary the devil" (1 Peter 5:8) who desires to "steal, and kill and destroy" (John 10:10).
But You have reassured us, Father, in Your word, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
We cling to Your promise, Lord, that You will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. When we walk through wilderness places, spiritually parched, dry, isolated—surrounded only by the wild—send Your ministering angels to attend us, so that the journey does not become too much for us.
There is so much we do not understand, but in this world full of trouble, You have shown us with certainty that You are God, that You are good, and that You love us. Thank You that Jesus came "that [we] may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Help us to trust Your plan and Your purpose. Strengthen us through the trials of life so we can come through singing a song of praise to You:
“Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion” (Psalm 84:5-7).
He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne; In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r; I’ve all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn From my heart and now He keeps me by His pow’r. Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore, Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
~ Charles W. Fry ~1881
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