Don't Test God

     When Israel left Egypt, God was with them all the way.  He parted the Red Sea, he drowned the Egyptian army, he gave them manna, quail and water.  But the people tested God by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 19:9).  Moses later reminded them of that day and wrote, “Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah” (Deuteronomy 6:16).  Testing God is questioning whether he is with you or not.
     Jesus was tempted by the devil to test God.  Satan dared Jesus to throw himself down from the temple saying, “For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’ (Psalm 19:12)” (Luke 4:10-11).  Jesus answered, “It says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Luke 4:12).  Jesus knew the Father was with him without testing him to prove it.
     Is God with us on our journey?  We were baptized into Christ, our sinful past was destroyed, and he’s promised to provide us with every spiritual blessing.  Do we believe he is with us?  God’s word says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  Don’t test God.  Believe his promise.  He is with you.

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Rick Cunningham