Morsels 5

 

Morsels 5 Testing God

Scripture Matthew 4:5-7 New International Version 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’  7.Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test

See also Luke 4 ;9-12 Psalm 9;11-12 Deut 6: 16.Numbers 17: 3-7

Comments

Our Lord instinctively goes to Scripture when confronted by the devil for Scripture is the place where God reveals Himself to His people. It is God’s message to us. The devil is tempting Jesus to demonstrate His divinity by a spectacular act. People will believe because of this parlour trick. This would do away with the need for the cross. But such an act does not reveal the heart of God and it leaves the problems of a fallen humanity unresolved. Jesus rejected the short cut and thank God He did.

At Massah the people of God questioned His reasons for saving them. Instead of a simple prayer for water they resorted to abusive complaining. Did not they realise how small they were before their creator.

Where does this leave us in 2025? The Israelites had queried God’s deliverance abusively. They failed to trust Him for the essentials of life. We need three things;

1. A deeper reverence for divinity. In prayer we have dealings with the maker and ruler of all things. The old phrase “ God fearing “ comes tp mind.

2. A more intimate knowledge of Scripture. By meditating and living by Scripture we feed our relationship with Chist and feed our spirits particularly for times of leantimes.

3. A daily reliance on Him. With a deeper knowledge of Scripture and a God fearing frame of mind we learn how small we are and how utterly dependant we are on Him.

Testing God? The Bible says “ Don’t”

Morsels 5 Testing God

Scripture Matthew 4:5-7 New International Version 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’  7.Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test

See also Luke 4 ;9-12 Psalm 9;11-12 Deut 6: 16.Numbers 17: 3-7

Comments

Our Lord instinctively goes to Scripture when confronted by the devil for Scripture is the place where God reveals Himself to His people. It is God’s message to us. The devil is tempting Jesus to demonstrate His divinity by a spectacular act. People will believe because of this parlour trick. This would do away with the need for the cross. But such an act does not reveal the heart of God and it leaves the problems of a fallen humanity unresolved. Jesus rejected the short cut and thank God He did.

At Massah the people of God questioned His reasons for saving them. Instead of a simple prayer for water they resorted to abusive complaining. Did not they realise how small they were before their creator.

Where does this leave us in 2025? The Israelites had queried God’s deliverance abusively. They failed to trust Him for the essentials of life. We need three things;

1. A deeper reverence for divinity. In prayer we have dealings with the maker and ruler of all things. The old phrase “ God fearing “ comes tp mind.

2. A more intimate knowledge of Scripture. By meditating and living by Scripture we feed our relationship with Chist and feed our spirits particularly for times of leantimes.

3. A daily reliance on Him. With a deeper knowledge of Scripture and a God fearing frame of mind we learn how small we are and how utterly dependant we are on Him.

Testing God? The Bible says “ Don’t”