SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Luke 4:3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
Luke 4:9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.

Observation: The devil’s temptation of Jesus had to do with Jesus’ identity. If he could make Jesus think that his identity was in question, he could get Jesus to perform some act proving that He was really God. But Jesus had come to earth to live as a man, to be tempted as a man, to suffer as a man, and to die as a man. He lived a sinless life and did not deserve to die. Having no sins for which he must die, his death is received as payment for my sins! Wow!

Application: The devil strikes at my identity too. “Leon, if you really were a child of God you would not be having these problems.” But my identity is established in God’s Word! God’s Word lives in me and I live in the Word. His Word reassures me that I am His child.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit who lives in me. Thank you for the assurance that I am your child. I rejoice that my identity is not determined by my circumstances, but by YOU and your Word! Amen.

September 21: Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!