Today's Verse:

Matthew 16:23
“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.”

Today's Encouragement:

When Jesus told His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer, be killed, and be raised from the dead on the third day, they had a hard time with that. Peter, in particular, had a very hard time with it and said to Jesus:

“Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22)

Poor Peter, he just didn’t want to see his Lord hurt, killed, etc. However, he didn’t realize that he was standing in God’s way. He was more concerned about how he felt than about what his Lord just told him what MUST happen.

Jesus said to him:

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:23)

Poor Peter indeed. He didn’t know that the Devil was speaking through his concern to try and discourage the Lord from doing what He came to do. Jesus wasted no time in addressing the source, then helped correct Peter’s thinking.

We act like Peter all the time. Unfortunately, our feelings come first far too often. It’s so easy to make decisions without thinking about God’s concerns. After all, we have family, work, kids, calendars, plans, social life, etc. We can quickly get caught in our busy lives and forget why we are really here.

Here is the challenge: Put God first. His concerns first. His ways. His agenda, done with His love.

Here is the daily question: “Am I thinking about God’s concerns or man’s?

Today's Prayer:

Forgive us Father for putting ourselves first and being selfish. Help us to think about you constantly and make your concerns of utmost importance. May we seek you, your will, and your ways moment by moment. May we yield to you in every area of our lives and reflect your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.