ENDURING DESERT TRAILS IN FATHER'S LOVE
By Dudley Anderson

"As Jesus came up out of the waters the heavens opened and a voice said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:13 -17)

A young man approached John the Baptist to be baptized one morning. He was a confident young man and John knew him well. "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" said John. Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." John proceeded to baptize Jesus. As Jesus came up out of the waters the heavens opened and a voice said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:13 -17)

Immediately after this incident Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert where he fasted for 40 days and where Satan severely tested the Son of Man. In his humanity, had Jesus not heard those words he may have failed that test. Yet, because he is the Son of God, the words of the Father - my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased - burned in his heart and drew him through his trial.

Tracking the plans of God will inevitably lead you into desert places where you your faith will be tried. However, God will always prepare you for hard times. Because God is eternal and because he knows your future, he is already on the other side of your tomorrow preparing your way and meeting your needs. I imagine that Jesus took much courage in his Father's words while he was being attacked by Satan: "I love you, my Son. I am pleased with what you have become. You are ready for this calling; ready to be Savior of all mankind." The Word of God had prepared Jesus for all that lay ahead: the desert and the cross!

Today, if you are acknowledging God in all your ways and acknowledging the lordship of Jesus then your Father God is saying to you, "You are my son/daughter, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Take courage from God's love. Be strengthened by his joy over you. Walk in the faith (faith pleases God) that he will meet your needs and help you through every desert experience of your life. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance". (James 1:2-3)

"It is not faith in God's power that secures his blessings but faith in his love and in his will." --- F. F. Bosworth


Pray:
"Dear Abba Father, I am scared of what lies ahead. The way I see things from here, there's not much hope for my success and happiness. I feel as though I am trudging through thick desert sands in the heat of the sun, hungry and thirsty. And yet, I remember the words you spoke to Jesus before his desert trials and I take courage. In Christ, you call me son/daughter and you love me and are pleased with me. Thank you for the strength this gives me. Thank you that my hope is not in my own way forward but in the way you have already prepared for me; a place where you have already met me needs and fulfilled my dreams. My hope is in you and in you this hope will not disappoint me. Amen."

Dudley began writing for radio. He currently presents for UCB UK and writes a weekly devotional called, trACker. trACker reaches hundreds of people and is published online. Dudley also pastors a church in the UK. More at: www.godtracker.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS