JANUARY 3
MATTHEW 5:1_he went up into a mountain: and when he was set…
Have you ever heard, “On your mark, get set, go?” In this verse Jesus reaches His mark, which is up on a mountain. You must reach your mark before you can begin the race, and you must have prepared yourself before you reach the mark. Once the mark is reached you get set—ready to begin the work.
Baptism was a part of Jesus’ preparation for His mark. Another was testing and endurance. Jesus endured a wilderness experience away from home, family, and friends. He suffered.
He suffered physically because He chose to fast during this time—to deny the body in order to strengthen the spirit.
He suffered temptation of the flesh to break the fast—in order to satisfy the physical over the spiritual.
He suffered a power struggle—to test God’s Word rather than believe it. He suffered the struggle of fame—to seek the praise of men over the praise of God.
You will face tests and sufferings throughout life. Suffering can break you or make you. The making or breaking is a decision, and the decision is yours.
PRAYER
Holy Great God, Help me endure my struggles in life. Let Your Word teach me wisdom that I may reach the mark and be set for Your go. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
Christ suffered—He will help me be strong in suffering!
The Works of Her Hands 