Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him. (Mark 1:12-13)
Jesus always knew, in the moment, what He was to do and where He was to go. This was because of His unbroken communion with the Spirit of God. "The Spirit impelled Him to go into the wilderness." He knew and He followed without the slightest hesitation.
He was modeling for us, as a man, exactly how we should operate. But, like Jesus, we may never know what might be next with His directions. God's assignments for us are perfect in purpose but often veiled until the moment of execution. Did Jesus know why He was being sent to the wilderness? What He was about to face? What the outcome might be? Scripture does not tell us. But since He was operating as a man alone (but fully connected to the Father), it would seem He did not.
He was led to a 40-day fast and the most intense time of spiritual warfare He had known to that point—a direct assault by Satan himself. God had many purposes for this time of temptation. To prepare Jesus. To teach Him that He did not have to live by bread alone, but by every Word from the Father. To face the enemy and learn warfare. To establish His authority over Satan himself. To show the power of the Word of God. To record for all time the means of defeating the enemy ... and on and on.
OUR NEXT STEP
Here is the lesson for us: Expect to be surprised. God has bigger and better things for us than we can imagine. Things which "eye has not seen, and ear has not heard; all that God has prepared for those who love Him." But these purposes may come through a path that we might never choose. A simple step of obedience may take us down a new road. It may be hard, or delightful, but we may not comprehend until after the experience all that God is accomplishing.
But we can know this: His voice is real, His timing is immaculate, and His purposes are eternal. He is conforming us into His Son’s likeness with every step. The imperative is to walk in such communion with the Spirit of God that when He impels us to go anywhere at anytime, we are sensitive to His promptings and gladly willing to follow.
Father, thank You that You know exactly where I should be and what I should do today. Give me the humility to listen and the courage to follow. Accomplish in me and through me all You desire for Your glory.
