TESTING

"Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. he was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, where the Devil tempted him for forty days" (Luke 4:1-2).

Three things jump out at me this morning from these verses:

#1 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. He was filled with the Spirit preceding a time of great testing. Perhaps the filling was preparation for the testing. Our "Spiritual Highs" may precede times of difficulty--which is why we need the high.

#2 Jesus was led by the Spirit away from the Jordan River into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit, who now filled Jesus, led Him away from the comfort of the river into the harsh wilderness. Though it was the Devil who tempted Him--it was the Spirit of God who led Him to the place of temptation.

#3 Jesus was tempted by the Devil for forty days. In the Bible, numbers mean everything. The number "40" is "10" X "4". The number "4" represents the earth--the world--and everything in the world. The number "10" represents testing. Therefore "40" is a time of testing in the world.

Perhaps, like Jesus, the Spirit has led you to a place of testing today. If so, then God is preparing you and setting you apart for something new. In the midst of your discomfort--worship God--and seek your comfort from Him. You are not alone!