FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. ”

Even though His circumstances were less than desirable, with wild beasts and demonic presence, there were angels sent to minister to Him (Psalms 91:11, 12; Hebrews 1:14). The Lord will not do any less for us during our testing and proving, for while he knows we must be tested, He likewise wants us to pass our tests. Some have suggested that He will graciously allow us to have our tests repeatedly until we pass them. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ” Jesus was tested so that He could be a proven advocate for us, having been tested, and advanced through victory over the trials, He can now direct us as well as have compassion for us in our proving times. Hebrews 4:15, 16 “ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need .” In the wilderness Jesus was not only proving Himself and being strengthened in the Spirit, but He was also already at work in His ministry, redeeming mankind for the failings of the past. Israel was tested in the wilderness, and they continually fell short of the opportunity God provided for them to advance in His ways. Psalms 106:14 says, “But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert .” Jesus, as their redeemer, was also tested in the desert, but He did not test God, He proved God through His Word. Each time that Jesus was tempted by the devil He responded with words “ it is written ” and a passage of scripture as a correction to the temptation of the devil. But it was not just scripture that Jesus used, but in each case He quoted specific scripture from the book of Deuteronomy. This book that contains the temptations of Israel in the desert. By doing so, not only was Jesus proving His own strength in the Spirit, and His authority over the subtle and tricky devil, but He was also redeeming the failings of His people while they were tested

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