Times of Trial

Every year during the season of Lent, we read the scripture about Jesus being lead into the wilderness for a time of trial. I’ve never quite understood why his ministry had to start that way. But it is an aspect of life, isn’t it… From time to time, we all face trials and temptations that really test our character.

In the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 4), we read that while in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the Devil. In ancient Jewish theology, the devil was not a little red character with horns on his head dancing around saying, “Extra crispy! Extra crispy! You’re going to burn.” No. The devil was a in a sense the personification of the forces of evil.

It’s interesting. The word devil comes from the root word diablien – to split. The devil, in biblical thinking, is that force that tries to split people away from God and away from each other.

However you want to understand the devil, there is no doubt there are forces at work in the world that are beyond us. Think about how a spirit of greed can seem to settle almost as a culture within a corporation – or an individual. Hatred can seem to just take over a person or a group of people. Spirits of addiction or cynicism or indifference can be almost impossible to shake. I don’t believe the old cliche, “the devil made me do it. But there is no doubt those forces are real… and they are powerful.

If we are to look to Jesus, through out every moment of trial, we see an utter dependence on God. In the wilderness, he fasts, and he leans on scripture – he leans on what he knows to be true about God. Even at the end of his ministry in the garden, we find him in a posture of prayer.

My prayer for you today is this: When you find yourself in the midst of the wilderness; in the midst of forces of darkness that promise one thing – but that can never deliver; in the midst of trials and temptations, may you turn to God. May you depend on God. And may you lean on what you know to be true about God. And as you do, may you also find a courage and a strength, and a hope that comes from beyond you.

Let us pray: God of Grace, as we continue this Lenten journey, draw us closer and closer to you. We give you our hearts and lives again this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.