Matthew 4 is a famous chapter, and most everyone – believers and unbelievers alike – know the theme of this true story. After being baptized, Jesus was immediately lead into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. There, Jesus was temped by the Devil.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4: 1-4.

I find it astounding that the Holy Spirit is the One who lead Jesus into the wilderness to go through hardship and temptation. This is so eye-opening, because as we follow Christ, we will go through things similar to what Christ went through. In Romans, Paul calls this the fellowship of suffering.

“…and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.“ Romans 8:17

We must suffer with Him to be glorified with Him. There is absolutely no easy way out. Believers will go through hardships, through temptations, through trials and tribulations. Each believer is unique in what they go through, what God has allowed and ordained in order to sanctify us, strengthen our faith, and prepare us for the coming glory.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

So just as Jesus was tempted by the devil in the suffering season of the wilderness, so will we be tempted as believers. We will go through dry, dead-like seasons of drought, of lack of growth, a place where water is hard to be found. But the comforting thing is is that it is all in the Lord’s hands. Just like the Holy Spirit of God lead Jesus, He also leads us.

But in that season of temptation, we must be on guard. The Bible says to be alert because the devil is prowling like a lion. He is looking for every opportunity to have us fail tests that God allows in our life. Staying strong in seasons of flourish will help us hold onto the Lord in seasons of difficulty.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

When Jesus was tested, He used the Word of God to combat the devil. So ought we should do! As children of God, we need to bathe ourselves in the things of God by reading scripture, meditating on the beauties of God, being fed by teachings of the Word, and partake in the spiritual emblems of the Lord – a high calling!

Even if in our testing we start to crumble and fall, we will never really fall because God holds us in the palm of His hand. He holds us up. We’re already victorious in Christ!

“He will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14.4b

So believer, walk into any season or moment of testing and trials with the strength of the Lord. He’s the mighty One, He’s the strong One, He is the One who loves us so much that He rescued us from eternal destruction by His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. If He accomplished all that, what more can and will He accomplish for us when we are in the desert!

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Whowill bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedesfor us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, orfamine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE REGARDED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, norlife, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-38