DAY 7 : Where Do We Seek Fulfillment?

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "  

- Matthew 4:1-4 (NIV)

The three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness are more relevant to us now, than we could possibly imagine!  In fact, the enemy often tempts us in the same ways today.  As we begin to understand what was truly at the heart of each temptation, we will understand the keys for overcoming each of them.

The first temptation of the enemy is often this: To try to get us to satisfy our hungers in our own way.  To use our own power (as we see fit) to meet our own needs.  "After all, your Heavenly Father doesn't seem to be providing for you - it seems He's forgotten all about you and abandoned you!  Here you are in need, yet heaven is silent.  Why don't you use your own means to provide for your lack?"

Jesus was tempted with a very real, basic human need - the need to eat while at the brink of starvation!  He also had the power to do something about his temporary needs, just as we often have the means or ability to do something about the temporary needs or crises we find ourselves in.

Yet Jesus saw that the greater need was something eternal, and that what He really needed, He didn’t have the power to make happen in His own strength.  It had to be given to Him, provided for Him, by His Father in heaven!  What He really needed was not temporary bread, but the bread that comes from heaven alone - every word and promise that comes from the mouth of God!  

In order to prepare room to receive these words and promises from heaven, and to step into His divine call from heaven (Isaiah 61), he had to surrender Himself fully to His Heavenly Father.  He needed to "hunger and thirst for righteousness," so he could "be filled" (Matt. 5:6). By embracing hunger and thirst in the natural, He created capacity to receive every word and promise that the Father had in store for Him!!

Are we trusting in the timing and provision of our Heavenly Father?  Are we willing to be fully satisfied in the presence, provision and words of our Heavenly Father?  

Will we see that our ultimate hunger and desire is not to satisfy earthly needs that are screaming to be met - but to trust and to realize what we really need is an eternal answer that only our heavenly Father can provide?  Only His words can meet the deeper needs of our soul - and ultimately, the deeper needs of this generation!

SEEKING IN PRAYER:

Take a moment to bring your heart before the Lord, praying through these questions & reflections.

1. In times of need, lack or hunger - whether physically, emotionally or spiritually - where do I turn, to fill those needs and to satisfy that hunger?

Where do I turn when I feel discontent, dissatisfied or restless? Where do I turn when I feel the most alone, misunderstood, rejected, unloved or unappreciated?

2. Am I looking to my own means, ability or power to fulfill my own needs, lack or hunger - or have I positioned my heart in a place of dependence upon God, to meet the deeper needs of my heart that only He can fulfill?

3. Am I creating capacity in my spiritual life, to receive every word and promise that the Father has spoken over me? Am I preparing room in my heart for the fullness of His call over my life, by placing dependence and trust on Him to meet my needs - rather than the things of this earth?

INVITATION FROM HEAVEN:

Psalm 34:4-5 (NIV)
"I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." 

Psalm 25:3 (NIV)
"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame..."

Matthew 5:3 (NIV)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


PRAYER RESPONSE:

"Heavenly Father, thank You for the promises of Your Word - that ALL of Your promises are 'Yes' in Christ.  No matter how many there are, You are faithful to fulfill them all! (2 Cor. 1:20)  We come to You because of the riches of Your mercy, and the kindness of Your heart. 

"You are the God who hears and answers us, and who delivers us from all our fears!  Those who look to You are radiant, and their faces are never covered with shame!  I place my trust and complete dependence upon You.

"I repent for the ways that I have relied on my own provision or on the things of this world, to satisfy the temporary desires of my flesh, rather than looking to You to fulfill the eternal needs of my heart and of this generation: ________ (take time to surrender each of these ways).   

"Give me grace to create capacity in my spirit to receive the fullness of Your words, promises and calling over my life!  Help me to set Your promises ever before me, that nothing would distract me from them.  Help me to set my eyes and my heart on eternity, and on the hope of Your promises!  Amen."

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