“For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?” Yes,” said Jesus, “and it’s also written, ‘Don’t you dare tempt the Lord your God.’“ Luke 4:9-12
Jesus had just spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before the beginning of His public ministry. At the end of that time the devil came to tempt Him, to try to take advantage of His weakened physical state. His third test was to tempt Him to prove He was God’s Son by showing off God’s power for selfish purposes. How easy that would have been and put Satan in His place immediately! End of story! But He knew that would have been an abuse of God’s power and was not God’s will for His life. He states very clearly, we are not to test God.
Everything Jesus did was in obedience to God and to glorify Him, not put Him on display for His own benefit and to prove a point about Himself. Jesus spoke to me several months ago about this very thing and this is a strong reminder. He showed me I am not to ask Him to do for me that which I can do for myself. I am not to ask Him to heal my body and continue to abuse it. I am not to ask Him to heal my finances and continue to spend needlessly. I am not to pray for God’s protection when He has provided the way to protect me. Now, that does not mean I don’t pray for my health, finances or protection, while obeying His commands and using what He provides and watch him work in me as I walk in obedience. I know story after story of missionaries and saints who have walked into danger for the sake of Christ and salvation of others, not knowing if they will survive or perish, but only that they must obey. They don’t have the “watch what God will do for me to prove a point” attitude, but with a humble, obedient heart.
Lord, help me not to point my finger at others for their lack of faith, but to check my own attitude as I pray and obey. Anything good that comes from my prayers is because of You and not about me! When I am tempted to display my faith and Your power to prove what a great Christian I am, I violate Your command to not test the Lord, God, examine my heart and help me to trust and obey and leave the results and glory to You. Help me not to parade my faith, but Your faithfulness!
Journey with Joyce 