Tempting During the Testing

In Exodus chapter 17 we find the account of the children of Israel journeying through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. They are chiding and complaining to Moses, this time about the lack of water.

A look at Hebrews chapter 3 reveals a little more about this story because we find that these people were provoking God. We are given an example of what not to do—not to provoke God.

God will bring testing into our life, but this is not the time to provoke God and complain about the circumstances we are under. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. - Hebrews 3:12. The writer of Hebrews is giving us a warning not to be like the children of Israel when we are in similar situations.

When trials and testings come we should not be tempting God. We should be trusting in God and His promises that He will bring us through the trial and bring us into a victorious Christian life. When we tempt God and fail to accept His will we hinder our ability to be in His will.

This group of Israelites were meant to go right into the Promised Land, but instead they wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years and many died. Why? Because they lacked the faith to trust in God during the testing.

Don’t tempt God during the testing. Trust God during the testing.