DON’T TEST GOD
Matthew 4:7
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do
not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
If we don’t use the resources available to us but instead
want other resources we don’t have, then we’re testing God. This is what Satan
wanted Christ to do. Satan told Jesus to throw himself from the temple when
there were steps he could have used to climb down. Someone who doesn’t wear
proper clothing in cold weather but expects God to miraculously keep him from
freezing is also testing God. This is like the Jewish leaders who ignored the
signs they had been given and waited for a different one from heaven. In the
same way, people who sleep when they should be working are testing God. Because
God promised to take care of them, they assume that God will find a way. But in
Proverbs, God told them to work: “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent
hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).
God’s work is accomplished when we use the resources
given to us. He wants us to use our resources but not put our trust in them.
While it’s true that hardworking hands bring wealth, it’s also true that only
the Lord’s blessing brings it. As Solomon said, “the blessing of the LORD
brings wealth” (Proverbs 10:22). When people use weapons to defend themselves,
God is still delivering them. Without God’s help, people who attempt to deliver
themselves will fail. As David said, “I do not trust in my bow, my sword does
not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies” (Psalm 44:6-7).
God will use weapons to deliver people if weapons are available, but he can
still deliver people even if they aren’t available. Therefore, we should make
use of what we have but not rely on those things. We must trust in God alone,
whether we have the resources we need or not.
Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional, By Martin Luther. February 6.