The aftermath week 11, 2013

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him Matt 4:11(NIV). There is something I have noticed in scripture and in life. It is that severe temptations and tests precede a promotion by God. This understanding has encouraged me at times of temptation and encouraged me to hold on, not to fall or give in. Jesus held on to God in the wilderness despite temptation. The hunger remained while the tempter was there, but when Jesus remained firm the tempter inevitably had to leave. Many a night has this revelation sustained me: no matter how strong the urge to sin the tempter must leave once you steadfastly refuse to give into him, but submit your heart, mind and body to the Lord. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Jas 4:7(ESV). It is also true for the tempting season which runs into weeks. Turn your face to the sunshine of the word of God, the shadows of darkness must fall behind. Nay they must flee! But there is more. With every success in resisting the enemy so comes an advance for the overcomer: a crown. When he was through with the tempter not only did angels come to attend to him, but also Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit Lk 4:14 (NIV). Was this an incidental or is it a pattern? Consider Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego. Following their overcoming the test of first privately , and then publicly refusing to bow to an idol at the risk of death, after being delivered from the fiery furnace the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon Dan 3:30(ESV). What of Joseph? After overcoming the repeated temptation of Potiphar’s wife and enduring the prison, he stood before Pharaoh as the next to the throne. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." Gen 41:44-45 (ESV). Note the order however: the resolve not to sin, first privately and then publicly, then the fiery furnace (the prison in Joseph’s case), and finally the promotion. Consider such tests promotional interviews. Child of God, are you beset with a tempting and testing season? Refuse steadfastly to give in as you submit your thoughts, heart and fate to God. Focus on Jesus. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. Heb 12:2 (THE MESSAGE). It was this same attitude he had in overcoming all that came his way as temptations and adverse situations. I guarantee you there’s a crown waiting for you. Know this: after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you 1 Pt 5:10(ESV).