O: It was the leading of the Spirit that took Jesus into the place of testing. It wasn't anything he did wrong. It was part of the plan. How does this fit with the Lord's prayer of 'lead me not into temptation?' I guess it shows the power of prayer to actually influence God. Clearly leading us into temptation is a process he does use to produce growth. And clearly asking him not to can stop him from doing it. However, if the spirit led Jesus into testing and temptation, then clearly that was the best plan. Should we then not pray to avoid it, just for the sake of comfort?This is interesting.

A: One way that this definitely applies is that I should never assume that a test or temptation is because I have put myself in the wrong situation, or because I am not as spritiually mature enought or listening to God enough. The test was clearly part of the plan. So I can be encouraged that periods of testing can serve a purpose, as long as I go through them listening to the holy spirit and armed with the word of God

P: Lord, thankyou that I am never alone in the desert or the test. Thank you that you bring good, you bring future, out of those seasons. Please help me to understand the seasons of life, to avoid unnecesary tests, but to walk through those appointed by you for growth knowing you are there, and walking it out with your strength.

Matthew 4:1