Yesterday we looked at the power of the phrase “It is written” and how Jesus leaned on the book of Deuteronomy to fight temptation in the wilderness. It’s worth noting that of all the books in Scripture, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy more than any other. That’s amazing when you think about it. Deuteronomy was written by Moses more than a thousand years before Jesus was born, and yet Jesus drew from it as His sharpest weapon against the devil.

That’s the beauty of God’s Word. Though written across centuries, by different authors, it speaks with one voice. Jesus, the living Word, quoted the written Word because it was always His Word to begin with. The eternal Son of God was there before Moses ever put pen to parchment. When Jesus said “It is written,” He wasn’t leaning on someone else’s authority — He was standing on His own promises preserved in Scripture.

One of the verses He used was Deuteronomy 6:16: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” This command reaches back to a painful episode in Israel’s history at Massah (Exodus 17). Thirsty in the wilderness, the people turned on Moses and demanded water. They weren’t just asking for help; they were doubting God’s presence, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

That question is the essence of testing God. It’s not simply asking Him for provision. It’s demanding proof of His love on our terms. The Israelites had seen miracle after miracle — the Red Sea parting, manna from heaven, pillars of cloud and fire — yet they acted as if none of it mattered unless God showed up again right then, in the exact way they wanted.

We fall into this same trap. We test God when we say things like, “If You really love me, fix this situation,” or “If You’re real, give me a sign right now.” We test Him when we knowingly walk into sin and expect Him to cover the fallout. That isn’t faith — it’s presumption.

Jesus shows us the better way. When Satan tempted Him to leap from the temple and force God’s hand, Jesus refused. He trusted His Father without demanding a spectacle. That’s real faith: believing God’s promises without needing Him to perform on command.

The lesson is clear. God has already proven His presence and love — at the cross, at the empty tomb, and in countless ways in our own lives. We don’t need to test Him; we need to trust Him.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

In Jesus name, Amen

“Goodness of God” by Jenn Johnson

Thanks for letting us be part of how you start your day with God.

Remember, the more we trust his Word, the less we feel the need to test him.

See you tomorrow,

Zach and the Daily Devotion team