DAY 10: LORD, HELP ME TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD – PASTOR HEIDEN RATNER

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1 ESV

One of the most fascinating moments in the entirety of the Bible is when Jesus went up into the wilderness for 40 days. It was during this 40 day fast that Jesus was tempted by the devil on at least 3 different occasions, and on all 3 he past every test and temptation.

And who’s bright idea was it it to go on a 40 day fast in the wilderness? You guessed it – the Holy Spirit’s idea! In Matthew 4:1, we’re reminded that the Holy Spirit will get us out of our comfort zones, just to get us into a more God-dependent zone. I’ve found that prayer and fasting will help get you there. Being tempted by the enemy and speaking truth back to his lies will help get you there. Getting alone with the Father for the sake of deeper intimacy with Him, will help get you there. And Jesus models all of these items in this passage.

When it comes to praying “Lord, help me to follow Your lead” we must pray it with a sense of readiness, willing to do whatever the Lord may lead you to do. For Peter and John, this looked like following Jesus wherever He went. And, for the once demon possessed man out of Mark 5, the Lord led him back to his hometown to proclaim the amazing works of God. On a different occasion, the Apostle Paul desperately wanted to bring the gospel to Asia and he even started making his trip there until the Spirit of God led him to go somewhere else. (Acts 16:6) The point here is that the Spirit’s calling on our lives may look vastly different from each other, however the primary purpose will always remain the same, that being to glorify and lift up the Son – King Jesus. (John 16:14)

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour” — Oceans, Hillsong United, 2013

Father, today I ask You to help lead me. I acknowledge that I need Your guidance, grace, leadership, and conviction for when I get off the right path. Lord, I pray You would lead me to do exactly the things You are calling me to do, as well as go to the places You are calling me to go to. 

Help me to trust Your leadership, and know that regardless of where You send me, You are already there. Thank You for being there, Father. And thank You for being for me and not against me. Lead me today, O God. I’m ready to walk with you and in you.

In Jesus name, amen!