#177: Doubting God

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"If you are the Son of God..." Matthew 4:3&6

Today's episode is a sequel to the previous blog post on the serpent's lies that makes our heart turn in rebellion to God and His laws. Matthew 4 gives an account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Unlike the children of Israel in the wilderness, Jesus was not persuaded by the devil's lies to doubt God and what He said; and unlike the first man - Adam, Jesus did not fall to the tricks of the devil. May God grant us similar victory as we rest in Jesus and His faithfulness to deliver us from the tricks of the enemy. Amen.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17

It is so fascinating that just before we begin chapter 4 of Matthew's gospel, chapter 3 ended with a declaration from God. This was heard at least by Jesus Himself and probably all who were standing there. But it is precisely the same thing that God spoke of that Satan was attacking in the temptation narrative.

"Forever, O LORD, Your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens" Psalm 119:89

When God has spoken, there is no authority to question it. However, the devil comes with tricks and cunning ways to question the very thing that you heard clearly from God. This is a trick that many have fallen prey to.

What has God said concerning your business? What has God said concerning your children? What has God said concerning your marriage, home? And very importantly, what has God said concerning His faithfulness to you? The Bible says:

...for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" Hebrews 13:5

And many times when we pass through difficult times, Satan whispers into our ears, "Has God not abandoned you now?" However, our situations never define God's presence with us; actually, God says

"When you pass through the water, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2

Through the journey of Joseph, the writer of Genesis constantly reminds us: and the LORD was with Joseph - in the pit, in Potiphar's house as a slave, in the prison. God is not only with us when we have bread to eat; even at our lowest point, we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37). Can God be so real to us that even in the face of gloom, we are unshaken?

Jesus' key to overcoming the devil was trusting God's Word. He knew what God had expressly said, and He did not need to turn stones to bread to prove it, neither did He need to jump from a cliff to prove it. He said:

"You shall not put the LORD your God to the test" Matthew 4:7

Thoughts: Any action made from the standpoint of doubting God is a sin. Doubt is the opposite of faith and faith is the currency of pleasing God and walking with Him.


Have you been blessed and encouraged by today's blog post? Glory to God. Please feel free to leave a comment below and share in order to bless others. God bless you always.


Comments

  1. ROYAL RUBIES2 November 2021 at 21:49

    And very importantly, what has God said concerning His faithfulness to you?

    👏

    ReplyDelete

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