Anybody out there excited about a season of testing? No, I didn’t think so. Nobody raises their hand for finals week, medical tests, or running a gauntlet. Testing exposes weakness. It costs time we didn’t budget. It leaves us uncertain how we’ll perform until we’re already in it.

Yet look where obedience led Jesus. We read in Mark 1 that “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him,” (vv12-13).

But what was Jesus doing right before then? He was being baptized by John the Baptist in obedience to the Father. And when He stepped out of the Jordan, still dripping from His baptism, the Holy Spirit led Him straight away into testing. This wasn’t despite following God’s will, but because of it. The wilderness wasn’t a detour from God’s plan. It was part of it.

But notice, too, that while the Spirit of God took Him into that testing, God also sustained Him there. Wild animals surrounded Him. Angels ministered to Him. God didn’t remove the testing. He provided for Him in the middle of it.

Beloved, that’s something we all need to hear, especially those of you going through a season of testing yourself. It may feel like God has abandoned you, but He hasn’t. The same sustaining care that met Jesus in the wilderness meets you in yours. You didn’t ask for this test, but the test has come to you. Don’t stop following God and trusting God. He will see you through!

Change begins in you!