6 / Tuesday

Identity: I will operate out of who God says I am rather than what I think or what other people say.

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” —Matthew 4:3

Jesus was tempted to rely on what He could do rather than His relationship with the Father. He didn’t take the bait.

God designed repentance to be about our relationship with Him rather than what we can do for Him. It’s possible to go through the motions—to outwardly act like you are relying on God but but inwardly focus on what you are doing. The people of God have often done this.

Consider:

• What are you sacrificing these 40 days—refer back to Day 1.

• Are you subtracting this from your life to prove something to God? (Relying on yourself?)

• Are you allowing this sacrifice to drive you to the grace of Jesus? (Relationship with Him)

Talk to God as you go through your day today. Lean into your relationship with Him.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” — Joel 2:12–13a