Jesus persevered even when His faith was questioned.
For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Luke 4:10-12
Satan went for the jugular at the end. He asked Jesus if He really believed that God was God and that God would actually take care of Him.
When have you questioned whether God was really going to take care of you? Whether He was really trustworthy?
It’s crossed my mind a lot. When things go differently than I think they will, when a relationship doesn’t work out, when my heart is hurt or my body is injured or my people are hurt, I can hear that same whisper: “Didn’t the Bible say God loves you, Annie?” I hear the snake’s tiny voice in my ear: “And is that what you feel right now?”
Jesus’ answer to the Enemy of our hearts? Don’t test God.
I love this because Jesus didn’t feel the need to defend God at all. He didn’t even give a nod to Satan’s suggestion. Why? Because Jesus knows God’s heart.
We test someone or something when we need to know its worth or ability. We test our car batteries to make sure they work. We test our students to see what they know. We test our water to make sure it’s safe.
Jesus didn’t have to test God. Because He already knew. So He persevered in what He knew. He found lovely, because He knew exactly where to look—at His Father.
Excerpted from the new release Looking for Lovely by Annie Downs. Click here to learn more!