MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 22 FEBRUARY
February 22, 2026
Day Five of Lent – Total Surrender
February 23, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
22 FEBRUARY, 2026
Matthew 4:1-11
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.
The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this passage, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and faces three temptations from the devil. Despite being physically weak, Jesus remains spiritually strong, using Scripture to resist each temptation. His victory teaches us that true strength comes from God’s Word and reliance on Him. Just as Jesus overcame temptation through faith and obedience, we too are called to resist the enemy by staying rooted in Scripture and trusting in God’s provision.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Jesus, who remained faithful even in the face of temptation. Help us to rely on Your Word and strength when we face trials. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may resist the temptations that pull us away from You. May we trust in Your provision and stand firm in our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen
