Strength for the Journey
Debbie and I enjoyed breakfast out this morning. It was a little of a challenge navigating some steps at the restaurant, since I was just using my walker.
Later, I went to the resort workout room and had a good hour and a half work out on weights and a bicycle. Louis one of the trainers was very attentive and helpful in working with me on the equipment. I realized that this was my first try at some exercise equipment to this extent since my illness. It was an interesting feeling to feel like I pushed weights to my capacity and endurance but did detect any muscle change. Of course I don’t have too much muscles mass to contract with the activity.
Later I joined the family at a different pool here at the resort. We took some pictures to share, so here is one of them. I believe our plan after dinner is to try our hand as a family on the miniature golf course. I’ll let your know how that goes.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days being tempted by the devil….And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…” Luke 4:1,14
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry is marked by being baptized by John, tempted by the devil, and then returning to Galilee to teach in the synagogue. This forty day interlude between the two bookend events is well chronicled in the gospels. It is one of the most significant times of Jesus life and ministry. A forty day fast, in the wilderness, constantly being tempted by Satan. When the forty days were nearing to an end we read of the three recorded temptations of Christ. And then we see that Luke records, “…he [Satan] departed from him [Jesus] until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13)
What caught my attention in this reading was Luke’s comments that Jesus began and ended this time of temptation and trial “full of the Holy Spirit.” It is one thing following baptism, the dove, the voice from heaven, to be “full of the Holy Spirit” as Jesus journeyed to the wilderness. But for the same condition to be how Jesus spiritual condition is described after the forty day fast and time of testing is of significance.
As I thought of this, I thought of how I would describe the converse. It would be tired, beleaguered and spiritually weary. Spiritual warfare is intense work. Fasting is hard. Forty days in the wilderness is no walk in the park. Consider Elijah in the Old Testament after confronting the prophets of Baal and being confronted by Jezebel. He was worn out, felt alone and even despondent. Yet we see Luke describing Jesus coming out of the wilderness in the same way he described Him going into the wilderness.
This is of importance because Hebrew’s records,” For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:18) The encouragement that is found in this truth is also recorded in Hebrews 2:18, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
The strength we need for our spiritual journey is found in being “full of the Holy Spirit.” That means trusting the Lord for strength and power for each new day. That means yielding our life to the Holy Spirit, as Paul admonished the Ephesians, “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18) This carries the meaning of “be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.”
This is reflected in Paul’s admonition to the Galatians “…walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh… If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16,25)
The strength for life, the strength for trials and temptations, the strength to do God’s work is found in the life of Jesus, “being full of the Holy Spirit.” Like any gift it is available by asking, trusting, yielding. Don’t journey alone.