Trusting God in the Wilderness
First Sunday of Lent: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13
Today, as we step into the first Sunday of Lent, we are reminded that this is not just a season of rituals—it is a journey. A journey of faith, a journey of transformation, a journey that mirrors the very path Jesus walked. The Gospel takes us into the wilderness, where Jesus fasts and prays for forty days and nights, only to be met with temptation. And as we listen to this passage, we realize—this is our story too.
Lent is often described as a time of prayer, fasting, and penance, but at its core, it is a time of trust. Trust in God when we feel weak. Trust in His word when the world offers easy solutions. Trust in His presence even when we feel alone.
Our first reading brings us back to the story of Israel, a people who wandered, suffered, and cried out to God. And what does God do? He sees. He hears. He acts. He rescues them from their affliction and leads them to the Promised Land. This is not just history; this is our reality. Every one of us, at some point, has cried out to God from the wilderness of our lives—from suffering, doubt, or fear. And God has not ignored us. He is our redeemer, our refuge.
Psalm 91 reminds us of this powerful truth. It is a prayer of protection, a prayer recited at night—when the darkness settles in and fears creep closer. It tells us that God sends His angels to guard us, just as He did for Israel during their journey through the desert. A pillar of fire led them by night, a cloud guided them by day. And so it is with us. God does not abandon us in the darkness. He walks with us, lighting the path toward our true Promised Land—heaven itself.
But here is where the challenge comes. The devil also knows scripture. He takes these very words about angels and twists them. He tempts Jesus in three ways, and in each temptation, there is a lesson for us.
First, Jesus is hungry. After forty days of fasting, the devil presents a simple solution: “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.” But Jesus refuses. Why? Because He does not use His power for Himself. He came to serve, to feed others, not to take shortcuts for His own comfort. And more than physical food, He knows that true nourishment comes from the Word of God. My friends, this is a lesson for us—this Lent, we are invited to hunger, not for what the world offers, but for what truly satisfies: the voice of God speaking to us in Scripture.
Then comes the second temptation. The devil offers Jesus a deal—“Worship me, and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world.” A shortcut to power. No suffering, no cross, just an easy way to glory. But Jesus rejects this too. He knows that worship belongs to God alone. And how often are we tempted in the same way? How often do we compromise, even just a little, for the sake of success, comfort, or approval? Jesus reminds us that the only path worth walking is the one that remains faithful to God, even when it is difficult.
And then comes the final test. The devil, using Scripture itself, tells Jesus to throw Himself down from the temple—after all, doesn’t God promise to send His angels to protect Him? But Jesus sees the trick. The devil is twisting trust into a test. And Jesus answers, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
And here lies the greatest challenge for us. It is easy to trust God after we have tested Him. When He answers our prayers, when He provides, when things go well—we trust. But what about when we are the ones being tested? Can we trust Him then? Can we trust Him in suffering? In uncertainty? In moments when we feel abandoned?
Jesus shows us what true trust looks like. He does not test the Father—He trusts Him. Even to the point of the cross. Even in the agony of suffering, He surrenders everything to God. And so the question for us today is: How far does our trust go?
Lent invites us into this same trust. It is not just about giving up small comforts—it is about learning to rely on God completely. It is about fasting, not just from food, but from self-reliance. It is about prayer, not just words, but surrender. It is about walking with Jesus, knowing that through every trial, every temptation, and every wilderness moment—God is with us.
So, as we begin this Lenten journey, let us walk with Christ. Let us trust, not test. And let us follow Him, all the way to the victory of Easter.