Jesus’s baptism was a significant moment when God declared him his beloved Son, saying he was pleased with Him. Soon after this, Jesus was led into the desert, where he faced temptations.
When we openly declare our love for God, or when he does declare our faithfulness, a door is opened for satan to test us. Anyone with a strong relationship with God should therefore be ready to face challenges, at least initially, and overcoming these challenges can lead us to the great things He has in store for us.
Right after God acknowledged Jesus as his Son, the Spirit took him into the wilderness to be tested by the Devil. During this time, Jesus was very hungry and could have easily asked God to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. However, he chose not to do that because it wouldn’t have proven anything important. Asking God to fulfil his physical need would not be a genuine test of faith, nor would it honour God. By resisting this temptation, Jesus showed that the well-being of his soul is far more important than satisfying earthly desires. This teaches us that while our bodies have needs, what matters is our relationship with God and the salvation of our souls.
Peter, right after he declared his love for Jesus, was tempted to deny him three times in a short space of time.
Job was a faithful child of God, and as such God boasted about him, and Satan got permission to test Job as a result of that
One significant thing to know, however, is what follows immediately after we pass these tests: After Jesus passed his tests, he began hus ministry, performing miracles and bringing salvation to many people, including us. This was a direct result of his obedience and ability to overcome temptations. Job, on the other hand, gained back everything he lost
Many other figures in the Bible, like Abraham, Joseph, and David, also faced tests and were rewarded for their faithfulness.
Tests are a part of life for every faithful child of God, so we need to embrace them and pray for the strength to face these challenges as Jesus taught us, asking God to guide us away from difficult trials.
Ultimately, these tests are opportunities for us to prove ourselves of what we speak of God, and so, be able to enjoy the blessings that come from loving God.
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, let us take some time to reflect on God’s love for mankind; he loves us so much that he didn’t keep his beloved son from dying. What trials could be too much to endure for the God who sacrificed md his inky son? Let us reflect and take a firmer stand in pleasing God irrespective of the trials that come our way.
A LAMP UNTO THY FEET (PSALM 119:105) 