How can we avoid testing God as the Israelites did in Psalm 78:18? Setting the scene • Psalm 78 is a history lesson. God rescued Israel, guided them, fed them, yet “they willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved” (Psalm 78:18). • Their test was rooted in unbelief: “Can God really prepare a table in the wilderness?” (v. 19). What testing God looked like • Doubting His power after repeated miracles (vv. 12–16). • Demanding provision on their terms, not His (vv. 18–20). • Treating God as a servant to satisfy cravings rather than Lord to be trusted. Why testing God is dangerous • It provokes righteous anger (Psalm 78:21). • It invites discipline (Psalm 78:31). • It hardens hearts (Hebrews 3:8–9). • Scripture forbids it: “Do not test the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 6:16); Jesus affirms this in Matthew 4:7. Practical steps to avoid testing God Remember His works • Rehearse past deliverances (Psalm 105:5). • Keep a journal of answered prayers. Trust His character • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). • Refuse to judge His faithfulness by present circumstances. Guard your desires • Submit cravings to Christ’s lordship (Galatians 5:24). • Seek needs, not greeds—“Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). Cultivate gratitude • “Give thanks in every circumstance” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). • Thankfulness chokes grumbling before it starts (Philippians 2:14). Obey promptly • Faith expresses itself in obedience (James 2:17). • The Israelites saw miracles yet disobeyed; we obey because we have seen the cross (Romans 8:32). Stay in the Word • Scripture renews mind and desire (Psalm 119:11). • Daily reading keeps God’s past and promises before us. Walk by the Spirit • “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 4:30). • Reliance on the Spirit empowers contentment (Galatians 5:22–23). Encouragement from Jesus’ example • In the wilderness, Satan urged Jesus to test the Father (Matthew 4:3–7). • Jesus answered with Scripture and trust, not demands. • Because He succeeded, His strength is ours (Hebrews 4:15–16). A final word of assurance Remember: God delights to provide, yet He also trains hearts. When we choose remembrance, trust, gratitude, and obedience, we walk a path far from Israel’s wilderness of unbelief and close to the Savior who never put His Father to the test. |
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