1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:1-4
In this chapter, Jesus went on a forty-day stretch without food. Just like you or I would be, he was hungry! When was the last time you were starving, but still passed on food? Have you ever been on a period where you hadn’t eaten? It probably wasn’t forty days, and I’m sure you wouldn’t be passing on a dinner invitation. Everything Jesus had been through assured Him of what He would gain if He would exalt what was written instead of what looked like the thing to do. Jesus isolated himself for this season, but we isolate ourselves for many reasons. Isolation will always breed bitterness. When you feel yourself pulling away remember isolation will put out your fire, but unity will bring insolation to your fire.
5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
Ezekiel 34:5
We compare our fight of faith to combat in an unseen realm scripture says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4). The enemy is tactical, his spiritual “modus operandi - a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is characteristic or well-established” runs parallel to combat procedure. First, they try to push you to cut off all communication and isolate yourselves. God puts people in our lives for our support, to enhance our strengths and cover our weakness with their strength. We must not pull away or isolate ourselves that God has placed in our lives. We must embrace life, rise to challenges, forgive our offenders, and restore those who have stepped away. Our time here on earth is brief and fleeting scripture says, “ It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (JAMES 4:14). We may not pass this way, again. If you’ve pulled away to the point of isolation, come back! Don’t suffer alone with only the words of your enemy. Like Jesus isolated in the time of fasting, when The devil knows that you alone is a best-case scenario to take you out of your calling, your marriage and even life. When Jesus was tried he quoted the word of God. When you feel yourself isolating yourself quote the word of God. Keep your mind engaged with pure thoughts and your hands working in a noble pursuit of God’s kingdom.