“Jesus, full of the Hoy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” Luke 4:1-2a
Recently I was talking with a friend who had felt led by God to make a specific decision. As the situation unraveled, it seemed like it had been the wrong choice. My friend was confused. “Maybe I didn’t hear God right. Why would He lead me into a mess like this?”
Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit deliberately led Jesus into what many of us would describe as a bad situation. Tired, hungry and alone, Jesus faced great temptation from his most powerful enemy. Was this really what God wanted for his Son? Had Jesus misunderstood the Holy Spirit’s leading?
Jesus trusted that God’s plans are greater than the world’s plans. He knew that the Holy Spirit’s leading was from God Himself and that He was completely trustworthy. That is why Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit, in John 16:13-14:
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
Just as Jesus trusted the Spirit’s leading and God’s plan, you and I can also trust that God leads us in the plans He has for us. No matter how confusing or difficult our situation may be, when we trust in the Lord and follow His lead He will care for us.
Lord Jesus, Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to us to guide us in the plans You have for our lives. Give us courage to follow the Spirit’s leading and strength to trust that You are working out the details, even though they may be painful or difficult to understand. And through it all Lord, may You be glorified. Amen.
TAKE ACTION:
Following the Holy Spirit’s leading is putting your faith into action. Read Hebrews 11:1-12:13, which highlights many men and women of faith who endured all kinds of trials as they followed the Spirit’s lead. Take courage to follow the Spirit’s leading in your life as you seek the Lord today.