Who Takes Care of You?

Ever feel drained? Ever feel like you can’t go on? In these times that you need to be “taken care” of where do you turn? I have spent many years (and still do) turning to friends. I want to feel loved and accepted. I want a friend or family member to help “take care” of me. I want them to nurture and heal my spirit. I want them to comfort me. As with many things in my life now I try to evaluate as to what Jesus would do if he were in my situation. I have learned when I turn to God’s word I find out that Jesus, while on this earth went through the same things that I did. That means he can relate to me….

Matthew 4:1-11 tells the account of the temptation of Jesus. Jesus hadn’t eaten for 40 days (and nights), yet more important to Him was his relationship with his heavenly Father than hunger pains. Jesus’ trust in His Protector was tested when he was tempted to throw Himself off the top of a temple. It was more important to Jesus that he not test His Heavenly Father than “prove his point”. The final temptation that is noted in Matthew states this, “Then the devil led Jesus on top of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. The devil said, “If you bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.” Jesus said to the devil, “Go away from me Satan! It is written in the Scriptures, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.” So the devil left Jesus and angels came and took care of Him.” (vs. 8-11)

Sometimes we put Jesus on the pedestal, a pedestal that he deserves. However the truth of the matter is when he came in human flesh he experienced the things that we do today. Did you catch the very last sentence in that scripture….So the devil left Jesus, and angels came and took care of Him.

There are two parts to that reference that send chills up and down my spine. Jesus simply told Satan to take a hike…and he did! Imagine the power that we have if we begin to put on the armor of God. Last night Pastor Paul spoke at church about God “showing up”. Can you imagine, we ask God to come to our rescue and when he shows up there is thunder, lighting, earthquakes, fire…you get the picture? And all God did was show up…He hasn’t even done anything yet. That my friend is amazing power. Every single day we are tempted…just like Jesus was. And every single day, just like Jesus, we have the power to tell Satan to take a hike…and he will. And when we feel like we can’t go on, we don’t need to rely on earthly friends or family for our comfort. I promise you that I and every other earthly person will fall short of the expectations that you set forth for them when you need to be “taken care of”. We, like Jesus, can let God take care of us through the presence of his Holy Spirit and angels. That my friend is so encouraging! I can get that hug I’m looking for from the Holy Spirit or an angel! Now that my friend is a HOLY HUG!!