Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Have you ever been so sure God wanted you to do something, but when you did it, the enemy kept showing up? Did it make you doubt and wonder, “How can this be God’s will?” I know I have. Yet, if we want to be considered Christians, or ones like Christ, we should be expecting this kind of temptation. After all, it happened to Jesus.

Luke 4:1-14 tells us the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Let’s not forget how He got there:

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. (Luke 4:1-2 NLT)

Jesus was “led by the Spirt.” God knew what would happen. God did not temp Jesus; after all, God cannot tempt with evil, as James 1:13 reminds us:

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

I believe God knew that Jesus could and would overcome these temptations from the devil, and that through this, He would become empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. (Luke 4:14)

I don’t know where we get the idea that if God is in it, it will be easy. I find that nowhere in Scripture.

• Joseph had dreams that came true, but first he was a slave and then a prisoner (Genesis 37-50).
• David was hunted by Saul before he became king (1 Samuel, 2 Samuel).
• Noah was mocked as he and his family built the ark (Genesis 6).

Jesus warned us that we would face trials.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

And the Apostle Paul gives us encouragement in Romans:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)

Everything we endure will be worth it when we see what God does with it!

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28)

Today, let us each take a fresh look at what we’ve been through. Can you find God’s hand in it? Whatever you may be going through right now, God will bring good out of it and He will empower you through Holy Spirit. No, it may not be easy, but with God we can do all things!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.