Matthew – God’s Purposes
There will be dark moments in our ministries that God called us to be and do. To be honest, it happened to me, right here on the mission field about two weeks ago. I won’t go into detail about this “battle” for my heart, mind and soul for it was not monumental, earth shattering, dangerous or even juicy to hear and pass on to someone else. A situation happened that disappointed me to the point of wondering if it was all worth being here. That is the darkness of discouragement that Satan feeds on for control of our minds. He fuels our thoughts with more negative thinking and assumptions that fuel the fires of our hurt and discouragement while serving God.
Fortunately, because I am older and wiser, I recognized this ploy to get me to stop what we were doing and go home, from past experiences of battling Satan. NO ONE here wanted us to leave, it was all in my heart for only a few hours. Satan is real, friends. When you are about to step boldly in front of people to tell Jesus’ Story of Truth, Way and Redeemed Life living, you have drawn a line in the sand for the devil who hates Truth, who hates Jesus Christ.
It is not surprising that this occurred while I was passionately preparing sermons for Spiritual Emphasis Week for elementary students. I drew a line in the sand. The battle began. Satan used a disappointing, discouraging situation to propel me into confusion and unrest until I fell on my knees and prayed earnestly for help. No other human could help me in this battle. I needed help beyond humans. 
I needed Jesus and I needed Him quickly. He heard my prayer. He gave me just what I needed…as He always does. The power of Jesus raised me up. The power of Jesus gave me His Words to speak. The power of Jesus overcame all feelings of discouragement. The power of Jesus opened up kids’ hearts to hear from Him who lives in me. Kids came to Jesus! Battle for kids lives were at stake. Devil lost again, praise Jesus!The Pharisees (devil working through them) were plotting to stop our blessed Jesus’ work who was sent by God to seek and to save the lost. The religious elite were coming up with plans to trap him by baiting Him constantly. Their ultimate goal was to get rid of Jesus for good…by having the Roman government kill Him. Fortunately, we know the rest of the story. If you don’t, keep following this blog as we walk with Jesus through His Story as told by Matthew.
We are going to camp on this small portion of God’s Word that tells of the fulfillment of prophecy of Isaiah who describes the relationship between God and His Son. This is beautiful, calming, full of love, and brings hope to all who believe. Read carefully and meditate on the love God has for us. Thank God for sending His Son who took away ALL the sin of the world in one final amazing act of love on a cruel cross.Know this, without a doubt, that Jesus knew what the Pharisees were planning. He knew what the fallen angel, Satan was plotting. He knows what battles we go through. He knows us. He loves us more than we can imagine. THIS gives us our hope for eternity!
“LOOK AT MY SERVANT”, says God.
Matthew 12, NLT
Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:
18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
20 He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And his name will be the hope
of all the world.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for fighting battles within us that are too much for us alone. Thank you for your power that flows through us when we are discouraged and disappointed on the journey. Thank you for taking our deserved punishment for our sin. Thank you for loving us the way you do. Thank you for hope!
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe!
