“But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.” (Psalm 78:17-18 NIV)
The psalmist is reminding us of the Israelites and their rebellion in the dry desert between Egypt and the Promised Land. Today I read it and I can’t believe I’ve missed it on every other trip through scripture: Jesus accomplished what the Israelites could not! Flip forward a bunch of books to Luke and find Jesus in the same corner of the world, able to traipse through the wilderness without sin.
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them, He was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2 NIV)
It always wows me how Jesus’ first act after being filled with the Holy Spirit was wandering in the desert. He showed us how it could be done rightly; how one could depend entirely on His Father for provision and protection. He was obedient where the Israelites had been rebellious.
We note how Jesus was full of the Spirit and responsive to His leading. The Holy Spirit is our source of strength against temptation. In the desert we are tempted to give way to lesser leadership: the enemy or our self. We are tempted to shortcut our way to a safer location. We are tempted to bicker and complain and compromise. But Jesus was able to overcome all these temptations. And by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, so can we!
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
The Spirit of God makes us strong for the sake of obedience. He builds us up for the tasks and territory He directs us to. We find the strength to stand against temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, forgive us for our weakness. Thank You for making an allowance; Your Spirit inhabits our flesh and we are needful things. Please fill us up and remind us to rely on Your Spirit when temptation and complaint come calling. May we be obedient to go everywhere You send us and quick to lean in to Your Spirit when our flesh gets loud. Amen.