Sometimes the way ahead can be so challenging that we’ll look for another way around our circumstances—even if that means twisting the truth to get there. We might even justify our path by thinking it leads to the same place anyway, even asking God to bless it. That’s testing God and it’s not God’s way. Often God’s plan is for us to take that difficult path, but it’s during those journeys that we are molded and shaped to be more like Christ.
THE PASSAGE
Deuteronomy 6:16-25; Matthew 4:5-7
THE SETTINGS
The Scripture texts for this session focus on the second temptation of Jesus. This time, the devil took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to tempt Him to test God. Satan once again challenged the Son’s divine position and authority by asking Him to leap off the pinnacle and have God rescue Him. Again, Jesus quoted Scripture, this time from Deuteronomy 6, where Moses reprimanded the children of Israel for testing God in the wilderness when they were thirsty.
THE POINT
We can trust God without putting Him to the test.
When we’re afraid, we often long for God’s presence and protection. Satan would like nothing more than to use those fears to undermine our faith in God. This is what Satan attempted with his second temptation directed at Jesus found in Matthew 4. Jesus had no reason to doubt the Father and His care for Him, but Satan was going to tempt Him to do just that.
