You Shall Not Force a Test on the Lord

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You Shall Not Force a Test on the Lord

We are told over and over  about the greatness  of God’s love and compassion  for His people.     We hear  how God has promised  to be near us  and carry us  through all our trials.     Bible verses  that remind us  of these truths  are very comforting  and we can truly rest  in them.

But,  some people will misuse God’s promises  and twist them  in such a way  that they are no longer expressing  God’s intended word.     One example of this  is when the devil tempted Jesus  in Luke 4:9-12,

And he led Him [Jesus]  to Jerusalem  and set Him  on the pinnacle of the temple,  and said to Him,  “If you are the Son of God,  cast Yourself down  from here;  for it is written,

‘He will give His angels charge concerning You  to guard You,’

and

‘On their hands  they will bear You up,  lest You strike Your foot  against a stone.’

And Jesus answered  and said to him,  “It is said, “You shall not force a test  on the Lord  your God.”

The devil certainly spoke the truth  when he quoted those two verses.     God surely does care  for His beloved.     But,  jumping off the pinnacle  of the temple  is a loveless and defiant forcing  of a test  on the Lord God Almighty.     It’s easy  to see  that it is very wrong  to mockingly challenge God  to protect a person  who is defiantly demanding  God’s protection.

We need  to apply Jesus’ reply  to our own lives  as He said,  “You shall not force a test  on the Lord  your God.”     We often force a test  on the Lord  with our disobedience  of all sorts.     We dare the Lord  to keep on taking care of us,  despite our belligerent waywardness.     Instead of doing our utmost  to live  according to the loving ways  of the Lord,  people defiantly and purposely sin  in order to carry out  their own desires — daring the Lord  to continue caring  for them and blessing them.

The Lord certainly is loving  and caring.     But,  He is also just  and righteous.     As our loving heavenly Father,  He will apply the right discipline  and judgment  for our disobedience.     Nobody will get away  with forcing a test  on the Lord.

And the whole  of God’s word  needs to be applied  to our lives.     Quoting a verse  out of context  is no different  from outright lying.     It is not wise  to listen to anyone  who likes to misconstrue God’s word,  and it is even worse  when we do it ourselves  in order to justify  our sinful desires.     We need  to be like Jesus  when He was tempted.     He rightly applied God’s word  to His life  and refused  to disobey God’s word  in the slightest way.

With Jesus  by our side  to strengthen us,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You  for giving us Your word  to guide us  in all righteousness  until we reach  our heavenly home.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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