Tempting Test… “Jesus answered him, “It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Matthew 4:7
This is an age-old temptation that God’s children, Israel, succumbed to when they quarreled among themselves to Moses. Because their needs were not being met, they put the Lord to the test by questioning His concern and care for them. “And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not? (Exodus 17:7).
Outward afflictions and inward wants is a conspiracy of the devil and his demons to tempt you into questioning God. It is when you are physically weak that you are spiritually vulnerable. Thus, shun Satan’s schemes of doubt and deception. Rise above the ridicule and raw doubt others fear, and have faith to follow the Lord’s leading.
Stay where God has called you and with resolve make your daily diet the living water of waiting on the Lord, and feasting on the fruits and vegetables of His truth. Move from the milk of His word to its hearty meat and your soul will be satisfied by your Savior’s sustenance.
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Faith in God trumps testing God. His truth found in Scripture is your ticket to pass His test. In your weakness He makes you strong, and His testing process purifies your motives and matures your faith. The Almighty administers tests and we take them. Thus we learn not to serve in roles reserved only for God. He is the teacher, I am the student.
Am I in any way testing God by not trusting His character? Do I respond with patient trust, hope and teachability in the middle of His tests in my life?
Related Readings: Genesis 22:1; Job 13:15; Acts 15:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?
