Jan 17: Insight Post by Robin Delaney

  -   January 17, 2025

Wednesday Insight Post
by Robin Delaney

This week’s examination of the accounts of Jesus being tempted in the desert, along with Kim and Rusty’s insights, have been eye-opening for me.

My general perspective of these passages has been Jesus and the Devil kind of duking it out on top of the world, slinging scripture as weapons with ultimately the weakened, starving, and weary Jesus watching his adversary turning tail and running away.. Jesus wins the epic battle! Not exactly a scholarly approach.

As the result of this week’s study, I revisited some unhealthy characteristics in my past that have been worth re-examining, including the nature of my own worldly desires, people pleasing, pleasure-seeking, wanting recognition and significance over God’s approval, as well as lack of faithfulness in difficulties, and relying on my own solutions and power to solve life’s dilemmas. Now, do I mean this is my daily primary mode of operating? By no means. But as the result of some digging below the surface, I can admit these things remain in doses that require additional work.

Psalm 18:30 (NLT) says God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.                        

Without a doubt, King David writes God’s way is perfect, and His Word proves true. He doesn’t say God’s way is easy, but it is perfect.

All the years of conflict King David had with Saul and his men brought so much strife and hardship, but through it all, God was true to His word and perfectly used every challenge and difficulty to mold David into a faithful servant (2 Samuel 22:1).

The life of a follower of Jesus is not easy—anyone who claims that their relationship with Jesus made their life all unicorns and rainbows is lying (John 16:33). The apostles certainly faced hardship and opposition for the sake of Christ, and we should not expect anything different (2 Timothy 3:12). But in those times, the Lord uses the difficulties we encounter to develop His character in us (Romans 5:3–5; 8:28–30; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–9).

Today, we are looking at ways to grow in our trust of God’s protection and avoid testing His faithfulness, knowing that His way is perfect, and all His promises prove true. Here are a few ways that help me trust in God’s plans and not my own. Most of these are in kind with the principles of recovery that have helped me be free from substance abuse for over 30 years.

Study the Bible: Do this daily like we are doing with this Bible Reading plan.

Prayer and reflection: Spend time in prayer, sharing your concerns and anxieties with God, while also thanking Him for His provision and protection.

Practice obedience: Choose to follow God’s commands, even when it is not easy. (Remember that Jesus had not eaten for 40 days before his temptations from Satan.)

Focus on God’s promises: Remind yourself of God’s promises in the Bible and choose to believe that He will fulfill them in your life, even when circumstances seem difficult.

Recognize your limitations: Realize that you may not always understand God’s plan, but trusting that He is working for your good even when you cannot see the bigger picture. (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Seek guidance: Connect with your Small Group Leaders and members who can offer encouragement and biblical insight to strengthen your faith.. If your are not in a small group please consider joining one. Email smallgroups@newhope.org for info.

Remember: “Testing God” means deliberately putting yourself in a risky situation to see if God will intervene, which is not a wise.

Trusting God is both knowing it in your head and 12 inches lower in your heart – making a deep commitment to rely on Him in both places.

Finally, a verse which helps me remember the reality of my situation. I will face temptations and trials and will need to make wise choices how to respond.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

It says “when”…  not “if”. Let’s choose well.

Robin Delaney
Director of Celebrate Recovery & Men’s Ministry