It always seems to work like this. You're on top of the world. You've tasted sweet victory. Then, BAM! It comes seemingly out of nowhere.
In our lives as Christ followers, we need to expect some rough patches that immediately follow the mountain-top experiences. This is when the enemy likes to hit us the hardest. We seem most vulnerable when things are going well. God will use these experiences to test us as well - test our character, our resolve and test where our focus is.
The same happened with Jesus. He had just been baptized and had a miraculous encounter with His Father in heaven. The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and God spoke audibly, "This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." From that victorious experience with the other members of the Trinity, Jesus embarked upon His 40-day wilderness experience where He was tempted and tested in the most powerful ways.
We read of a similar experience with Elijah. Elijah has victory over the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. It seems nothing could take the courage from this great prophet... except Queen Jezebel's threat of his life. Elijah, on the heels of a great victory and mountain-top experience, is faced with a great test.
Many of us experienced victory this weekend in our worship of Christ's resurrection. God did miracles in our lives and revealed Himself more to us. Now, we should expect Satan to attack. Now, we should expect the testing to begin. Don't be caught off guard. Instead put on the armor of God and be prepared to engage in spiritual warfare. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us the best instruction for this time:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
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