October 23, 2025
9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
Reading through the Old Testament should be a humbling experience for all of us. There, we are privileged to walk through the halls of history and witness how others related to God throughout their lives. We see their triumphs, but we are also confronted with their moments of weakness and sin. One of the key lessons we learn from God’s dealings with His people is how often they tested His patience—and, ultimately, how God responded to such behavior. What does it mean to test God? And how can we be sure we are not living in such a way right now?
In our passage today, the apostle Paul gives a clear command: do not put the Lord to the test. He is not simply introducing a new idea but rather reiterating a command first given to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:16. It is unthinkable and even sinful to test or tempt the Lord. Of course, we do not mean that anyone could tempt God to sin, for He is perfectly holy and just in every way. Yet, there are moments in life when things do not go according to our desires or plans. In those moments, our faith in Christ can waver, and doubt can begin to creep in and take its place. When this doubt arises, we always face two choices: we can either throw ourselves into prayer, asking God to strengthen our faith, or we can turn our hearts against Him. It is when we choose the latter that we begin to test God.
The Israelites did this time and again. Numbers 21 records a moment when the Israelites grumbled in discontentment and complained against God in selfish bitterness. Scripture tells us they grew impatient and rejected the Lord’s provision for them (Numbers 21:4–9). Their doubt turned into resentment, and as a result, the Lord disciplined them by sending venomous snakes among them. Let us not misunderstand, God is gracious and compassionate toward those who doubt, as long as they repent and turn back to Him in faith. However, He will not allow His name to be mocked or His power to be questioned. The moment we willfully accuse God of failing to provide, we commit a grave sin. Worse than that, when our doubt leads us to place our trust in something other than Christ, we have entered into the realm of idolatry.
Have we fallen this far? Have we decided that Jesus no longer supplies what we want and therefore we should place our trust in mankind, in earthly pleasures, in wealth, or in other false gods? The Lord is a jealous God—an all-consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24). He will not surrender His glory to anyone or anything (Isaiah 42:8). We must decide, from the depths of our hearts, to trust in Christ and Christ alone for our every need. No matter what we face, we are never justified in rebelling against the very God who saved us. Let us repent of the ways we have tested Him, and let us place our full hope in His unfailing promises.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am sorry for all of the moments I have grumbled and complained against you. I have forsaken you and pursued other means of satisfaction and blessing. I know that it is only in you that I find my all in all, and I resolve to put my full trust in you forever. Amen.