We Are Never Alone

He was all alone. For forty days Jesus fasted, continually tempted by the devil. He was physically weak and hungry, at the maximum point of vulnerability. No friends were nearby to encourage Him or share His burdens. Even though He was the Son of God, the temptations He faced were real. And He had to endure each one.

In those moments, He was so in tune with the Father that He had absolute clarity about His situation and what to do. Jesus also knew the Word. Satan tempted Him through Scriptures, but Jesus countered every argument with the Word. He could not be fooled by Satan’s deceptive interpretations.

In human terms, Jesus stood alone, face-to-face with Satan in situations where His flesh was vulnerable. But He was able to draw on the power of the Spirit. He wasn’t afraid or intimidated. He knew the Word. And He knew His authority.

Facing similar situations, many Christians are defeated by Satan and fall to his temptations. Some are “ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11) and don’t associate their troubles with Satanic opposition. They aren’t sensitive to the spiritual source of their problems. They aren’t ready.

As you face a new year, you don’t know what the future might hold. Ask God to help you be prepared and ready. Seek to be strong in the Spirit, confident in your relationship with Him. You are never alone; the Father is with you.