H.A.L.T.

H.A.L.T.

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“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭13‬, ‭NIV‬‬.

I sat in the solar panel lot at church—the enemy wants me to feel rejected, frustrated and unable to do what I came to do—pray. Just as Jesus left the crowd, He sought a lonely place to pray. So I want to do the same. But my stomach hurts, my head is foggy and it’s just one of those days.

With those complaints still moist on my tongue, I think of Jesus in the wilderness when He was tempted by Satan.

He was hungry, lonely and tired. He was probably a bit angry that Satan was there bothering Him.

Yet Jesus dug down deep and found the self-control needed to be faithful to God.

We warn others, “Don’t make decisions when you’re hungry, angry, lonely or tired.” We call that the H.A.L.T. method, one needs to stop and not trust your judgment when you are any of those things.

Yet, Jesus was all of those things, and He battled and won the battle over Satan. Because God battled with Him.

We have to remember Jesus was fully human as well as fully God. And our Heavenly Father encouraged Jesus to keep going when Jesus’s physical endurance faltered. I am sure knowing He was not alone gave Jesus the stamina He needed for all forty days.

God’s company helps me refocus on the task at hand especially on my off days. God is greater than our fatigue, more gracious when we are hungry, a peaceful source to tap into when we are angry and our companion when we are alone. He’ll never leave us, nor will He forsake us. Hebrews 13:5.

He truly is our all in all. With Him we can do anything He asks us to do. Without Him we stumble in the dark and take it out on others.

How are you doing today? Walking with our Father? Or are you stumbling in the dark?

Father,

You really do give us what’s needed. You comfort us when we feel a bit beaten up, and You encourage us when we feel our battle is overwhelming.

Thank You for giving us everything we need to get the job done, that You have called us to do.

Thank You that at the end of my day, You helped guide my feet to move in Your direction.

Help us not to complain and grumble about what You have called us to do. Help us to focus on You and Your glory.

Amen.