We need a breakthrough in my family.
We need God to show up in time, or we will be out of time. I am sure many of you may know this feeling. You need God’s help in time to make a decision. You need His counsel in time to know how to approach someone. You need His understanding in time to change within your heart.
I wonder if Jesus felt like He needed to see what Father God was doing, in time, in the wilderness? When Jesus was starving and being tempted by the devil? When Jesus was considering which scripture to use to combat the enemy’s attacks? Was Jesus hoping He would be delivered in time?
At one point, in this place, the devil spoke to Jesus, saying, ““If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]” (Mt. 4:6-7)
Essentially, Jesus said, “Don’t you dare put God to the test.”
After reading these words, “don’t put God to the test,” I had to admit: I have no idea what it is “to put God to the test”. Whatever this is — I know, I don’t want to do it. So, what is it?
The more I looked into this, the more I learned how the Israelites tested God. For example, God met Moses. And, at this place, Moses made water come out of a rock through His staff.
But, notice what happened here. It is written: “Moses named the place Massah (which means “test”) and Meribah (which means “arguing”) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord here with us or not?” (Ex. 17:7)
Testing and arguing with God sounds like: “Is the Lord here with me or not?”
Like:
Is the Lord here to help me with this issue — or not?
Is the Lord really going to come through — or not?
Is the Lord really going to give me answers — or not?
Is the Lord really thinking about me — or not?
Is the Lord really Provider — or not?
Friends, let’s not test the Lord our God. We do not want to be held back, like the Israelites, because of our heart posture. We don’t want to be pawns used by the enemy. We don’t want to let spiritual pride lead us off-track.
God is who He says He is. He will do what He says He will do. He is faith-full over every situation. This means He has all the faith to faithfully keep every promise. He has all the hope to bring us out of even the direst situations. He has all the counsel we need, every time. He is ever-present and active in our lives, always.
Arguing and testing God is fruitless, and, often, stalls the abundant life Jesus has for us.
Today, proclaim: I trust you, God. I don’t test you.
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