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1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you,' and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' " 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' " 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NRSV)
Most of us have had jobs we did not like nor did we look forward to. Some of us maybe more than one. We more than likely had no choice; we needed the money and once we were told "You're hired," decided we'd best start. My least favorite job was a summer job in college, in Houston at a manufacturing plant where we made huge industrial fan covers out of fiberglass. And that was the cause of my not liking that job. The job paid well, but not enough to prepare me for the incredible itching all over my body that no shower could cure the entire time I worked there. I have conveniently forgotten how long I worked there and I believe it was not the entire summer as I had planned. I worked with a good boss and he warned me that working with fiberglass would be difficult, and it was. Tiny, airborne shards of microscopic glass would find their way through my shirts and pants. I wore protective gear to protect my breathing any of those shards in, but no such protection was offered for my skin. Needless to say I did not sleep that first night after spending all day allowing fiberglass to find its way into my shoulders, arms, and back. If you can imagine an army of microscopic soldiers wearing cleats of steel making its way around your shoulders, legs, arms and back. Yes, the back. You dare not lay on your back because it aggravates the army and its parade intensifies. Your mind screams all kinds of insults at you for having made such a bad decision for even considering this choice of employment. You wonder how the other guys at work, who have been there for years have coped with this? My hat's off to the men and women who may still work in fiberglass to this day.
The second temptation was about testing God: "Throw yourself down and force God to rescue you." It's the temptation to manufacture a crisis to prove God cares, to demand he show up on our terms. But Jesus understood that faith isn't forcing God's hand—it's trusting his heart.
The third temptation was about shortcuts to purpose: "Worship me, and I'll give you all the kingdoms without the cross." It's the offer of achieving God's purposes through ungodly means. The right destination through the wrong road. But Jesus knew that how we get somewhere matters as much as where we end up.
In each temptation, Jesus responded with Scripture. Not his own wisdom. Not clever arguments. Just "It is written." He fought spiritual battles with spiritual weapons—the Word of God he had hidden in his heart.
Here's what we need to understand today: You will face wilderness seasons. You will experience times when you're depleted, vulnerable, and the temptations feel overwhelming. Times when taking shortcuts seems wise. Times when immediate relief feels more important than long-term faithfulness.
But Jesus has been there first. He knows what it's like to be famished and tempted. And he shows us how to stand: with the Word of God, with trust in the Father's provision, with commitment to the right path even when the wrong path looks easier.
The story ends beautifully: "Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him." After the test came the ministry. After the wilderness came the strengthening. God didn't abandon Jesus in his hunger—he sent angels when the battle was done.
The same is true for you. The wilderness is not forever. The testing has a purpose. And when you stand firm, when you choose faithfulness over shortcuts, God sees. He provides. He sends help.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for going into the wilderness before me. When I'm depleted and tempted, remind me of your Word. Help me trust your provision, resist the shortcuts, and stay faithful to your path. Give me strength for today's battle. In Your strong name I pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, memorize one verse that speaks to your current struggle. Write it on a card. Put it where you'll see it daily. When temptation comes—and it will—speak God's Word aloud just as Jesus did. The same weapon that worked in his wilderness will work in yours.
I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God, and you matter to me! We can and we will win the world for Jesus!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
