Hebrews 3:7-8 (NLT) [bible-link v=”Hebrews+3%3A7-8&version=NLT” c=”light”]
That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.”
Our loving Heavenly Father had a plan for His people, the Israelites. The plan involved a time of testing to strengthen their faith and give them access to His rest.
Rather than trust Him, the people decided to test God. They demanded signs and wonders from Him, complained about their new-found freedom, rebelled from faith and simply refused to yield to the tests.
God knows the tests that He allows are good for us, and wants to help us navigate them.
How do I know when I’m testing God?
We test God when we strive to manipulate Him into forcing our personal agenda, instead of surrendering to His perfect agenda.
His agenda will always include tests. Not because He doesn’t care about us, but because He cares so much about us that He wants to strengthen our faith and give us access to His rest, in all the trials and tribulations we face.
When we trust God’s judgment over our own, and remain the ones being tested, not the ones doing the testing, we keep our hearts soft to hear His wisdom and receive His peace for our situation.
