SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” [Matthew 4:1]
“The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.” [Deuteronomy 13:3]
In today’s reading we have three examples of times when the people might be tempted to turn away from God: a prophet, a loved one, or a whole village.
God is showing how serious this issue is – even if it is a prophet of God who performs a miraculous sign, or a beloved family member, or a whole village.
This is a life-and death matter, and so God will test us to make sure we get it!
Interestingly, God even submits Jesus to this test.
In Matthew 4 where we also have 3 tests, one of them has to do with bowing down to Satan, worshipping him.
The purpose of these tests was not to defeat Jesus, but to strengthen Him in His commitment to God.
Sure, Satan’s purpose was to defeat Jesus… but not God’s.
Think also about Job, whom God allows Satan to tempt to reject God.
In that test, Job’s wife says, “His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’” [Job 2:9]. Echoes of Deuteronomy 13:6-8!
What I take from this is that God also leads me through times of testing, not to defeat me, but to strengthen my resolve to love Him with my heart and soul.
Yesterday, I faced several tests.
Today I will face more.
When I pass the test, I gain strength; when I fail the test, I am weakened.
How do I know if I am being tested?
To know that, we need to know God’s will, as revealed in the bible and demonstrated by Jesus.
Anytime I feel compelled (either in my mind, or by someone else) to cross that line, to compromise my spiritual and ethical convictions, I am being tested by God (to strengthen me) and tempted by the devil (to defeat me).
The better I know God’s truth and God’s will, the better equipped I am to recognize the tests and resist the temptations.
I will be tested today.
I need to be on guard, rely on the Lord, and look for the way of escape that He provides: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” [1 Corinthians 10:13]
PRAYER:
Lord, I see now the test I failed yesterday. Help me to stand firm today, and from now on, to be strengthened in my love for You!
The summary of the law is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself. It is the Lord God I must follow and worship. I must be a wise man to do that and not follow the ways of man. I must follow the central command that Christ gave – follow me – He said.
God’s voice continue to speak this day with His voice saying – This is the way. Walk in it. It is that voice I must follow and not the voices of man. Each and every day anew, I must start with Him – Christ Jesus is His name and He will lead and guide me along the way, if I but trust and obey.
As a child knows his parents voice, so too I know God’s voice saying – This is the way. Walk in it.
Once again, Today God Is First! The day starts with God and ends with Him and all between is His because I live in His presence. I walk with my risen Saviour each day and so today will also be right in His eyes. I am walking in His SonShine. Always. What a Saviour!
The words that come to my mind this morning is this refrain for which I can’t find the song 🙁
Always, always, I will trust Him always.
Always, always, I will trust Him always.
That is the power and strength and direction of my living for today. Their is no other way but to live for Jesus!