Putting on Christ Series- 10/13/11

Continued Putting on Christ Series...

10/13/11
"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God," Matthew 4:7. As Christians, we should not test Him. We shouldn't demand things from God. Do this God or do that. Christians have to have a strong unwavering faith in the Lord to know that God is capable of handling things. Romans 4:20 shows that Abraham did not waver in his faith; he was strong in the faith. That's what we need to have. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen," Hebrews 11:1. Deuteronomy 6:16 pointed out  how they had tempted God in Massah. According to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Massah means "to test, try". Their demanding of water tested God. Testing God shows no faith. Rather, it shows the lack of faith on the person's part. Unsaved people demand signs from God. Their heart is stained in wanting to test Him. May that test Him won't be saved because they see, but don't see; they hear, but don't hear. Why, because of their rebellion, just like Israel in Ezekiel 12:2.

Testing God is lack of faith mixed in with rebellion. I for one don't want this. I count the Lord's Word good as done. I also know that God is reliable & the supplier of all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). I have no need to test Him because I have faith & I know my Lord is here 24/7, 365 days a year, snow hail, rain, floods, tornadoes. My Lord has never left me nor forsaken me neither has He failed me (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). "Jesus refused to test the faithfulness & protection of God. He trusted the Father & needed no tests (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

*Added now: Satan tempts, so we know we should not be tempting God or anyone for that matter. Have faith in the Lord. Trust in Him with all of your heart & soul, never doubting Who He is & what He is able to  do*