04/12/2022
We talk about meeting God in the wilderness, and it is true that this is a holy place where our faith is polished, tested, adjusted, then polished again by the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, but it is also true that Satan woos us there, and does his best to tarnish what God has just made to shine. We must remain at our most vigilant, not when our faith has reached its lowest point, but when it is at its peak, and we have become most pleasing to God. This is where Moses struck the rock, it is where Jesus was tempted, and although not in the desert, it was at the height of his righteousness that Job was tested.
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.”
Luke 4:1-2 ESV
The Lord had been polishing me, and leading me through various trials that served to dramatically increase me in my faith. It was here at the highest point I had ever been in my faith that I was asked to join a three man prayer team of elders at my church. I said yes, and began to meet regularly with them each Monday night, and whenever we were needed to pray for extraordinary events in the church. The first night of prayer with these two elders was incredible as we prayed over one another, those needing intercession, for special needs in the world, and for our church. Then it happened, I went in for a routine doctor’s visit and was told I had cancer. The next Monday night I told my prayer partners, and Jack, the older of the two, smiled as he said “Oh, we should have told you about this.” He went on to say that when I had been chosen to do a great work for the Lord that it also made me a prized target for Satan. He told me that many years ago, before his first prayer meeting in this group, that a car swerved off the road and ran into his house… stopping in the middle of his living room. Then, as that sunk in, my prayer partners anointed me with oil, and prayed for me in an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
James 5:13-15 ESV
Are any of us being tempted right now? Are we at the pinnacle of our faith, and think that we are beyond the reach of Satan? If so then think of the temptation of Jesus, the circumstances that led Moses to strike the rock, and think about Job and remember that there was none like him on the earth… yet each of these men were tempted by Satan. Then let’s remember their faiths and ask ourselves if we too, by the strength of our righteousness, have become prime targets of the dark one, and if we might possibly have convinced ourselves that our faith has made us immune, or placed us beyond the reach of Satan.
“And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason?”
Job 1:8-9 ESV
We should always wear the spiritual armor we have been provided. Our guard should always be up, and we should anticipate an attack to come at any moment… especially when we are feeling the strongest, and most secure in our faith… when we expect it the least.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
We think too that we will always recognize him, but he is the master of disguise, and deception, and can appear harmless right up to the point where we find that he has ensnared us. So test everything by the Word of God, and take nothing at its face value. Place much value in the gift of discernment.
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV
As for my cancer? Well my faith remained strong and my armor worked just as it was designed to. The prayers of the elders sought out the Lord, and He answered. My cancer was miraculously contained, removed, and I have been free of it for many years. Yet, if I should face it again, and my faith be challenged once more, my eyes will remain on the Lord… even unto death.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the faith you build in us as we meet you on the mountaintops, in the valleys, and as we traverse the various wildernesses with you. Thank you for the armor you have provided us that protects us against Satan in all his many forms, and opens our eyes to reveal his lies, both subtle and bold. Give us the remembrance of scripture that we can use it to repel Satan and his minions as Jesus did, and let it give us victory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who stands with us atop every spire, shields us in every valley, and gives us the bread and water of faith in the wildernesses. Praise your name for every attack of Satan rebuffed, and for the confidence we find in you. Merciful are you Father, and your grace sees us through the greatest challenges to our belief in you. Your right arm knows no defeat, and its strength remains unchallenged. Wash us clean of every sin in the blood of Jesus, and transform us into righteous saints as He abides in us. Find us worthy in judgement, and seat us forever before you. Let our voices be one, and lifted together as we sing your praise throughout eternity.
“For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Romans 16:19-20 ESV
Rich Forbes