The war.

We are in a battle ground; a battle for ground. Before establishing a kingdom, war must be. Israel had to defeat the Hittites and Cannanites before entering the land of promise to raise up a Holy Jerusalem. We must defeat a common enemy today, and this world is his kingdom. We must mark our claim upon Holy ground, and the ruler of this world is prepared to engage in battle, defending and being offensive to those bearing light. Your light shines in the darkness. The darkness...it knows who you are.

  In the bible, the very moment Jesus was baptised, just read the next sentence: "...then Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted of Satan..."  War came to Jesus in the flesh right after He was baptised. He was led to this battle fresh from anointing. Think about that. Our adversary has perfect timing. He knows who is and who is not of The Father.

Satan approached Yahweh saying : 'have you not placed a hedge of protection around Job from every side and all that he has...? Job was probably unaware of His divine protective barrier, but Satan saw it. He was aware of God's favor cast upon Job. But Job too, conquored. He overcame. God again allowed this to happen, but not for destruction. These experiences forged a strength in faith that is written for our example. God answers Satan through our footsteps today. In our battles He is there.

Knowing this, what about your wilderness? What about those things that tempt you? Where are your blind spots?  If you are in pursuit of a living breathing  relationship In and through Christ, you have either been thru a war, are in one now or see one coming. This is the cross we bear. This is our beautiful burden. For through the wilderness we must go, to be tested and tempted - torn and shattered. What Satan uses to destroy us God uses to build us. He will not lead us into such a place where we will not be able to find our way through. He is the way through beginning to end.  The tempting and tribulation teach us how to lean upon something and someone bigger than everything because we have to in order to make it through. Our Pain has a purpose.