“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:12-13).
Get this:
- Jesus just launched his public ministry by being baptized in the Jordan River.
- While being baptized, God spoke to Jesus saying, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).
- The very next thing that happens after the baptism and the amazing affirmation of how the Father loves the Son and is well pleased with the Son, is that the Spirit sends Jesus out to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.
Say what?!?!
God loved Jesus. God was pleased with Jesus. And God sends him out in the wilderness. There’s nothing out there. There’s no one out there. Not only does God send him out into the wilderness but God sends him out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan!
Say what?!?!
So, you’re telling me, you can be at the center of God’s will where God is absolutely delighted and pleased with you, and still find yourself out in the middle of nowhere being tempted by Satan?
Yup.
How do you like that?
You see, you cannot determine whether God loves you or not by circumstances. You may not know it in the middle of nowhere, but you’re not alone there. God is there. You may not feel it in the wilderness in the midst of being tempted and tested by the devil, but God is absolutely thrilled and pleased with you.
Friends, please, do not allow your faith to be shaken by your circumstances. God is with you. God loves you.
There is never a there where God is not there.
And you can take that to the bank!
Praxis: Faith in Action 