Daily Devotionals

Mat 4:3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

The first temptation is a challenge to relationship. Satan (appearing as man or an angel) equates Jesus’ relationship to God to what He should have. Mark his choice of words “IF You are the Son of God…” This is similar to his subtle ways of making believers question God’s love and care when faced with hardship.

The disciples questioned Jesus’ care while they were in a storm (Mark 4:38). Have you not heard numerous preachers say, “if you are the son of God, you can never be hungry, sick, poor etc.” To them suffering tests the legitimacy of your sonship, and sins or lack of faith are concluded to be the reasons you don’t have your stones (hardships) turned into bread (success). While this message is popular, it is a temptation that appeals to the present appetite, the impulse of the moment, as many of our temptations do. Prosperity gospel thrives on health and wealth, and if believers were really the beloved objects of God’s care as they want us to believe, their condition would be otherwise.

God’s love in Christ (Rom 5:8) is displayed on the cross and not on what we have or don’t have. If you ever face hardship and wonder if God loves and cares for you, look to the cross, the demonstration of His love. The disciples preached Christ crucified, that was the best way to demonstrate God’s love.