The Wilderness

 by Macy Johnson

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness

to be tempted by the devil.”

(Matthew 4:1 NIV)

 

My husband, Jeff, and I watched a documentary on Amazon Prime Video about an actor’s walk of faith with Jesus. As he revealed his story of wandering in the wilderness, I was drawn to my own wanderings. God provided for his specific needs in a dramatic way, so he videoed the process on his phone and brought his audience to tears with him. When all hope was lost, the angels tended to his needs in a miraculous way. God prepared this actor’s heart to meet his Savior on his knees. He surrendered all to Jesus in the wilderness.  

 

I sometimes feel like I live in the wilderness, because I require more training than most do. When I need something, my Lord reminds me I already have it, tucked away. Thoughts of a new purse led me from the Amazon app on my phone to a bag of previously used purses on top of a storage bin in the corner of my attic. God reminded me He has already provided all that I need. When I ask Him, He reminds me where to look for it.

 

Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Fully man and fully God, He experienced what we must experience. The Holy Spirit leads me there, too, on a regular basis to remind me Who I depend on and Who I live for. I find myself confessing many times a day, “Lord, I cannot do this. Please do it through me.”

 

Only when I recognize my weakness and complete dependence on my Lord, can I experience His powerful love. He is all I need.

 

I will surrender and submit to my Savior continually today. I hope you will, too!