Read: Matthew 3–4
The book of Matthew is one of the four Gospel books. Matthew’s goal is to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Throughout the book, we see Scripture quoted often to connect Jesus directly to God’s promises. Matthew presents Jesus not only as Savior, but as King.
John the Baptist plays an important role in preparing the way for Jesus. He lived a humble and obedient life, calling people to repentance and pointing them toward Christ, not himself. John understood his purpose clearly: to make Jesus known. In Matthew 3, we see John baptizing Jesus.
What stood out to me most today was chapter 4, where we see Satan come after Jesus and tempt Him. Jesus does not give in to a single temptation. He stands firm in God’s Word. He doesn’t argue or explain Himself. He simply responds with truth.
We live in a sinful world, so temptation and sin will come our way. That’s not a surprise. God gave us an entire Bible filled with His words, His heart, and His wisdom so that we can know Him and be in relationship with Him. He also sent us the Holy Spirit.
Whether it’s a new temptation or something you’ve been battling for a long time, we can lean into His Word. Scripture becomes our lamp, lighting the way so we don’t get lost or confused. Of course, things will still happen as we are human. However, the more time that you spend in God’s Word, the more it will fill your thoughts, your heart, and your responses.
“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105
I always think of a saying that I’ve heard: “If you’re not with the one you love, you love the one you’re with.” That can be true, but I think that you can “be together” in more than just a physical sense. We cannot physically be with God here on Earth, just like I couldn’t physically be with my husband when he was deployed overseas. However, that didn’t mean that our relationship couldn’t remain strong. During deployment, that looked like FaceTime and phone calls when we could, writing letters, sending care packages, pre-making “open when” cards, and putting together photo books so that he could feel close to home. Even when communication was limited, the connection was still there.
Motherhood has taught me something similar. There are seasons when life feels loud, overwhelming, and EXHAUSTING; especially when caring for little ones. I barely have time to think some days, let alone sit quietly. Even then, God’s Word meets us where we are.
The Bible is like a collection of “open when” letters from God. No matter what you’re facing, you can open His Word and find comfort, truth, and direction.
Dealing with loneliness?
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10
Dealing with anxiety?
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
Struggling with how to pray or talk to God? Jesus Himself teaches us how to pray in Matthew 6:
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” — Matthew 6:9–13
Anything that you need, the Bible has direction for it. Use God’s Word as a tool. Take it to heart. Let it shape your thoughts, strengthen your faith, and guide your steps; whether you’re walking through temptation, loneliness, anxiety, or the everyday challenges of motherhood and life. God is near and wants to be in relationship with you, with all of us. He has already given us everything that we need to know Him more deeply.
Discussion Questions
- What does chapter 4 teach us about the power of knowing God’s Word?
- Can you think of a time when a specific verse brought comfort or direction in a hard season? Feel free to share.
A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me and what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from answeredfaith.com
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