"The Words of Jesus #2 –Trust GOD, Do Not Test Him" by Chris Godbey

[Matthew 4:5-7 NASB95] Then the devil took Him (Jesus) into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON [their] HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

Our Savior, after He was baptized by John the Baptist, was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Matthew 3:13-4:1). Being fully human those temptations were very real to Him and He had to deny His flesh, but being GOD He never gave into those temptations. So, if you are being tempted, know that Jesus has been there too and is now there to give you the comfort and power you need to persevere.

[Hebrews 4:15 NASB95] 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One (Jesus) who has been tempted in all things as [we are, yet] without sin.

Jesus could have taken the easy way out, but that would’ve made Him a sinner and a sinner cannot be a Savior. Instead of testing GOD, Jesus trusted GOD. Living our life GOD’s way is the hard way, but it is the right way. It is the only way.

Anyone can give into empty promises like Satan tempted Jesus with, but endurance is only formed as it is patient in suffering. [James 1:2-4 NASB95] 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have [its] perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

What are you going through today that GOD is asking you to trust Him, not test Him?