Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

In life, it can often feel as though trials and struggles come at the worst moments — just when we’ve experienced a high point, just after we’ve fasted, or in the midst of significant personal growth. The truth is that the enemy is perpetually on the lookout for our vulnerabilities. Satan’s attacks do not come when we are at our strongest but rather when our spiritual defenses are down. They strike at the weak points where we are most susceptible. Understanding this strategy of the enemy allows us to create a fortified spirit that can withstand these moments of testing.

The Wilderness Experience of Jesus

In Luke 4:1-13, we find a profound example in the life of Jesus. Soon after His baptism, during which the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, Jesus was led into the wilderness — not by accident, but by the Spirit itself. This time of fasting and temptation serves as a powerful moment that reveals the strength and the strategies necessary for overcoming challenges.
One point of confusion often arises when we read that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into this wilderness experience. A common interpretation might suggest that God does not tempt us, pointing to verses like James 1:13, which succinctly states, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” However, it is crucial to clarify that the Greek word for “tempt” — parazain — encompasses both meanings: to try or prove, as well as to entice to sin.
In this sense, the Holy Spirit guiding Jesus into the wilderness was not leading Him into temptation but rather into a situation that would test and prove His faith. Jesus’s getting tested serves as both an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His divine authority and to model for us how to resist the enemy’s advances. This scenario invites us to examine how we approach our own wilderness moments.

The Nature of His Victory

It’s remarkable to consider that Jesus entered that time of trial filled with the Holy Spirit. He didn’t go in weak or unprepared. After fasting for forty days, when the enemy approached, Jesus was ready. It was through His steadfastness and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit that He overcame the temptations thrown at Him. He came out of the wilderness triumphant and began His earthly ministry energized and empowered.
Jesus emptied Himself of His divine privileges, as we learn in Philippians 2:7, yet did not lose His goodness. This unfamiliar avenue of temptation and testing mirrors our own journey. It teaches us that, even in our humanity, we can call upon and rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and emerge victorious. Unfortunately, many in the church today walk around feeling defeated and powerless. The spirit of heaviness weighs us down, and we often forget that we are supposed to be vessels of the Holy Spirit.

The Power of Fasting in Our Spiritual Walk

One critical aspect that helps us combat this spirit of heaviness is the practice of fasting. Within Western culture, fasting is often avoided and misconstrued as an archaic practice without relevance. However, fasting invites us to focus our spirits on God and rid ourselves of the burdens that weigh us down. In Isaiah 61:3, believers are reminded that heaviness can be replaced with a “garment of praise.” This transformation signifies more than just a change in mood; it indicates a deeper spiritual renewal, allowing us to exchange our burdens for joy and strength that comes from the Lord.
Fasting can break off strongholds that have taken root in our lives. This discipline of intentionally abstaining from food, distractions, or pleasures allows us to humble ourselves before God and create space for His presence. Just as Jesus fasted before facing temptation, we too can prepare ourselves spiritually when we choose to fast. This practice draws us closer to God and equips us to overcome the struggles and adversities in our lives.

Lessons from King Jehoshaphat

The account of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles serves as an exemplary model of how fasting and prayer precede divine intervention. When Jehoshaphat heard that a large army was coming to attack his kingdom, he could have panicked or sought military alliances. Instead, he did what might seem unthinkable: he called for a fast across the entire nation. Jehoshaphat recognized that their survival depended not on human strength but on God’s intervention. As the people gathered to humble themselves before the Lord, they received reassurance and power unlike any other.
As a result, they won an impossible battle against all odds, empowered by God through their fasting. This victory illustrates the profound truth that when we trust God in our battles more than what we see, when we commit to prayer and fasting, we are prepared to overcome any challenge that lies ahead. Jehoshaphat’s story encourages us to take similar steps: to approach our conflicts and trials not fraught with fear, but with faith, seeking God’s face and provision.

The Call to Awakening

As Jesus faced the trials in the wilderness with confidence derived from the Holy Spirit, we too must take on the challenges of life with a resurrected spirit full of God’s power guiding our actions and decisions. Yet the question arises: how do we tap into this divine empowerment?
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, guidance is provided for us: “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will heal their land.” This divine promise is contingent upon several actions that can be considered cornerstones of true spiritual growth.

1. Humility: We must resist the temptation of pride and self-sufficiency. This life is not meant to be lived alone; we need God’s presence to guide us through the turmoil and trials of life. Recognizing our limitations fosters a reliance on God that allows His power to flow through us.
2. Prayer: An ongoing conversation with God is paramount. We often confine our prayer life to reserved times in a quiet space, but God desires a relationship with us. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means inviting God into every aspect of our daily lives, continually speaking, listening, and engaging with Him in intimate conversation.
3. Seeking God’s Presence: Our prayers should not merely be requests or demands but a sincere seeking of God’s face and presence. God yearns for us to come into His presence and dwell with Him. In Isaiah 61:3, we see His desire to grant us beauty instead of ashes and to bestow joy instead of mourning. He wishes to empower us to arise and find strength in our weaknesses.
4. Turning from Sin: Repentance is pivotal. God calls us to turn away from wicked paths, habits, and sinful patterns. This is not just a one-time decision but a continual process of aligning our obstinacies with His holy will.

Conclusion: Empowerment Through Vulnerability

Being aware of the enemy’s strategies provides us with a vital advantage in our spiritual walk. Jesus did not avoid the wilderness; He confronted it. By following His example, we can foster resilience against the temptations that seek to ensnare us by empowering ourselves through the Holy Spirit.
In times of trial, when we are at our weakest, it is essential to remember that this is when we can experience the fullness of God’s strength like never before. When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, we prepare ourselves to overcome challenges faced with grace and resolve.
It is high time for the church to awaken from its spiritual slumber, shed the spirit of heaviness, and embrace the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Let us step courageously into the wilderness, for it is there that our weaknesses can become our greatest testimony of God’s strength within us.
Let us channel our struggles into humble prayers, ceaseless conversations with God, and an earnest seeking of His face; only then can we experience the essence of being transformed and empowered. The journey may not be easy, but it is in our weakest moments that God’s strength can truly shine through us. Through fasting, prayer, and a genuine pursuit of God’s presence, we can transform our heaviness into a garment of praise, finding empowerment through our vulnerabilities.
So I pose this question to you: Are you ready to declare some victories to the glory of God? Are you prepared to step outside the norm of what mainstream culture professes? Do not be afraid to humble yourself, pray, seek His face, turn from your sins, and fast. If we commit to these acts, embracing the spiritual fulfillment they offer, we will soon see what God can accomplish in our lives—victories that echo through our history, resonating with His perpetual greatness.