Mark 1:12-13




We would all like to think that if our lives were totally led by the Spirit - like Jesus’ was - then we would be able to avoid all challenges and difficulties. Life would be one long succession of blessings and smiling, happy people. But the experience of Jesus shows us that this isn’t the way the Spirit works. Led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus faced temptations, injustice, opposition and violence. But, as he did so, he was given the wisdom and strength to face every challenge.
The New Testament is incredibly candid about the challenges which face those who follow Jesus. Jesus himself was very clear that his followers would face problems. He saw it as an inevitable consequence of living in a broken and sinful world. In Jesus’ teaching to his disciples before his death, he gave them lots of encouragement but he was also very straightforward about the problems they would face. He said: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16.33).
I am sure that if you look back through the past couple of years, you could identify many temptations, challenges and difficulties that you have had to face. That’s life! The same will be true in the months and years ahead, but we need not be afraid because as the Holy Spirit leads us through these experiences, and he will give us the wisdom and strength to cope with them. When Jesus sent his disciples out on their first mission, he assured them that it would be tough.


He said that he was sending them out like sheep among wolves. He told them that they would be handed over to the courts and flogged with whips in the synagogues. On the face of it everything would go wrong, but Jesus told them not to be fearful because God would perfectly equip them for the challenges they would face. He told them not to worry about what they would say when they were arrested, because the Spirit would give them the right words.
I totally understand why we all shrink from the idea of temptations, problems and opposition but, with the Holy Spirit, we have nothing at all to fear. As we trust him, we will have all the wisdom, strength and words that we need.




QUESTION
How does this teaching help you as you look to your own future?
PRAYER
Loving God, I invite your Holy Spirit to fill me, and to guide me every step of my life. Amen

Released on 12 Feb 2023