“They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. The spoke against God, saying, ‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness? He struck the rock so water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?’ Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath.” Psalm 78:18-21
God has done many good things for us. He gives and sustains life. He grants many blessings, seen and unseen. Yet, we foolishly put Him to the test: “If you’re real, if you’re really there, if you’re really God, if you really care, if you really love me … do thus and such, and then I will believe.” This is not faith. It’s manipulation. It is our demanding God to prove Himself rather than understanding that He “proves” us, firstly through our acceptance of Jesus Christ, and secondly through our keeping of His Word and the works produced.
Jesus is quite clear about the wickedness of testing God. “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” To do so would be following the will of Satan who causes us to doubt. “Did God actually say…”
If we have needs or desires, we are to make them known, expecting God to do what is good according to His will, knowledge, mercy, grace, and love.
Prayer: “I thank you, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”