Matthew (the tax-man who was one of Jesus' 12 Apostles) in Chapter4 of the book named after him reports that:
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
The 'then' in the scripture above refers us to the preceding chapter 3. Especially verses 13 -16, which give us the account of Jesus' baptism (immersion into the Jordan river) by John. It also informs us of heaven's voice as he was raised out of the water: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
It is after this powerful display of acceptance and witness of sonship by YHWH, that Jesus was brought up by the Spirit of YHWH to face the tests of the diabolical one we call the devil.
Now, what followed was a test of everything the words and witness of YHWH had affirmed.
The temptation for Jesus was to either keep believing and trusting YHWH'S affirmation, witness and direction stated in those words uttered at his baptism or to go the easier route - the devil's way.
Thankfully he stayed true to trust in the words of his Father - YHWH, even when the circumstances around him said the contrary.
The word the Lord pointed me to this morning is actually not the above. It is this in verse 11 (chapter 4):
"Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." NIV
The Complete Jewish Bible, CJB, translates this as:
"Then the Adversary let him alone, and angels came and took care of him."
But the Youngs Literal Translation (YLT) makes it clearer by this translation:
"Then doth the Devil leave him, and lo, messengers came and were ministering to him."
Angels are messengers sent by YHWH to do his (GOD's) bidding for humans.
In particular, they come (sometimes looking just like any one of us) to help or perform service on God's behalf to those who are or will be saved.
"Moreover, to which of the angels has he ever said,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
Aren’t they all merely spirits who serve, sent out to help those whom God will deliver?" Hebrews 1:13-14 CJB
Towards the end of December, the Lord told me expressly that because we had listened to his instruction to see his son Jesus as he really is: Emmanuel (GOD with us) and King of Kings, Lord of Lords; As we had extolled him and worshipped him rightly, more angels (of the host of heaven) had been sent to make the work easier. They had been sent to minister ( to serve) those who will inherit salvation.
The Lord has blessed us with angels to help us in every way as we go about doing his work at this time.
As the CBN reports, revival has broken out in Asbury. Type in "Asbury Revival" on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube to see multiple posts and videos of the revival. As they state, " Asbury University's vice president of communications, told the outlet. Social media aside, what's happening at Asbury is being called a genuine move of God – the real deal – for multiple reasons. There's no high-profile leader, and there's nothing glitzy going on either.".
I know this is not a one-off, the rivers of the spirit are flowing all around the world as the angels of God are assisting those to be saved to connect to resources and focused spirit-filled Jesus-lovers to lead them into a spiritual awakening and reconciliation with YHWH by Jesus Christ.
Psalm 110:3 CJB says, "On the day your forces mobilize, your people willingly offer themselves in holy splendors from the womb of the dawn; the dew of your youth is yours."
This morning, he reminded me that the help of angels (messengers) is here. If you are still focused on the non-essentials, distractions and detractors, you will not be part of this move of God. Focus on Jesus. As we hunger and thirst for his presence, we will be filled and empowered to fill others.
This test is over, the time for the help of God's messengers is here. Some of them will be the most unlikely people but they will, like Cyrus the King of Persia, be devoted and committed to seeing the building built and the expansion of the true temple (Church) of God and exalting the name of Jesus around the world.
God will use anyone - yes even you!
Just be available.
Hallelujah! God is on the move!
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6
"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’” Ezra 1: 2-4
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. - Jesus Matthew 16:18b
"So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6