Testing God: Remembering His Faithfulness at Massah

Testing God in the Wilderness

What does it mean to tempt or test God? Have you found yourself doubting God's presence in your life? The Israelites had this very experience in a place called Massah, which in Hebrew means "testing." This was a location on the Hebrews' exodus route to the Promised Land.

Israel’s Doubt and God’s Faithfulness

The Israelites had experienced 400 years of slavery at the hands of the Egyptians, but then miraculously were freed by the mighty hand of God. They had seen things done by God that no one could dare believe, but at Massah they doubted Him. This is the meaning of testing God. Do you still have issues trusting Him, even though you have seen Him at work many times before?

Do We Still Struggle with Trust Today?

First, we need to be able to recognize and acknowledge the work of God in our lives. We often put things off to "good luck," "being in the right place at the right time," or pure "hard work". But is life just a series of happenstance events, where we fail to see it was God - not luck or even hard work that changed our lives?

When I was young, it was often hard to see God at work. I was so wrapped up in myself, in my aspirations, desires and wants, that I only vaguely appreciated His hand in my life. That great job I seemed to just fall into, or the car wreck I survived, were God's faithfulness in action, but in the busyness and clutter of my youth I would forget.

Even some of the bad things that happened, the consequences of my own choices, became learning experiences through God's guidance. But when everything went my way all the time it was easier to forget God's blessings. Both in trials and in times of ease, God was teaching me that His faithfulness does not change.

And so it was for the Israelites. They had been saved from Pharaoh's wrath, crossed the Red Sea without even getting their feet wet, and had food and water provided for them when they asked. But at Massah, things were different. Here, there was no water. Thirsty people become desperate very quickly. Instead of trusting God to care for them, they asked Moses, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7).

"Testing the LORD implies a challenge to His authority and faithfulness. The Israelites' demand for water was not merely a request but a test of God's presence and power." Berean Study Bible

Jesus Resists the Temptation to Test God

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan urged Him to put God to the test. But Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16: "You shall not tempt the LORD your God, as you tempted Him in Massah." Where Israel failed to trust, Jesus perfectly trusted His Father. Are you tempted, as they were, to ask, "Where is God?"

What did their question imply? Quite simply, the Israelites still did not totally trust God. They knew He had provided in the past, but they were uncertain about the future. When we face extremely difficult times, do we remember God's provision for us? Do we wonder and doubt if He is still with us?

The Israelites at Massah even question Moses' motives for bringing them out of Egypt. "Was it to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” they ask Moses. Poor, frustrated Moses cried out to God, "What shall I do with this people?" How quickly they went from viewing Moses as the great deliverer to the person they would blame for dying of thirst.

And what about us? We often view the Israelites as ungrateful, forgetful sinners and puff out our chests thinking, "Oh, if I had seen those miracles, I would never doubt God." We imagine that we would have totally trusted God to care for our needs. And yet, too often, we also doubt and forget.

A Warning from Psalm 95 and Hebrews 3

Psalm 95 reflects on this same event and warns: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness." Hebrews 3 repeats this warning for believers, showing that the danger of doubting God is not just Israel’s problem; it is ours too. We have even more reasons to trust God than they did.

We have the entirety of Scripture to read about the faithfulness of God to His people. We are blessed with the Holy Spirit to console and encourage us, and, if we can see them, the evidence of God's work in our own lives, and others, to bless us. Because of this, we have no right to complain or accuse God of being unfaithful.

The Israelites complained against Moses and, indirectly, against God. When we complain we have to be careful that our complaints are made with a prayerful attitude, not accusatory toward God. When problems arise, we go to God and ask for His guidance and help. We don't gripe and whine that we aren't getting our way. And when our cries for help are for something truly important, for the health of a loved one for example, we acknowledge that it is God's will that we desire for that person.

"Just as our complaints should be guided by trust and prayer, God’s testing of the Israelites shows that even difficulties can reveal our faithfulness; or lack of it."

In Psalm 81:7, God says, "I tested you at the waters of Meribah (Massah)." This tells us that there was a reason the Israelites came to a place where there was no water. God wanted to know if they would trust in His faithfulness to provide for their needs. Sadly, they failed that test. This raises a question for us: How do we respond when God withholds our needs for a time?

“Instead of complaining, we are called to remember and reflect on all that God has done for us.”

Moses’ Call to Remember God’s Works

In Deuteronomy 6, Moses cautions the people of Israel. They are told that when God brings them into the land He has promised them that is flowing with milk and honey and where their physical needs are met, "when you have eaten and are full," then beware. And what should they beware of? Forgetting! Don't forget the things that God has done for you, which you never deserved.

Don't forget to fear Him and serve Him. Don't forget to worship Him and no other god. Don't tempt Him "as you tempted Him in Massah." Do what is right and good. And Moses continues, “When your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded you?"" (Deuteronomy 6:20). Moses tells them they will relate all that God has done for them and the importance of obedience to God.

Do we remind our own children of all that God has done for us? Do we share stories with them of God's blessings in our family's lives? Do we share the importance of remembering?

Today, many of us live with God's abundant blessings all around us. Like the Israelites, we are undeserving of the grace and mercy God has shown us. He has saved us from our sins by sending His Son to live among us and die for us. He has healed our wounds both physically and spiritually. God will provide for our needs. But do we forget? Have our children forgotten?

Christ, the Living Water for Believers

At Massah, the people doubted whether God would give them water, but Jesus offers us living water that never runs dry, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37). This water of life flows by the throne of God and blesses us with eternal life. With this water your will never thirst again.

God’s Faithfulness Yesterday, Today, and Forever

You and I can look back through history, through our own lives, and even into the future life we are promised, and see God's faithfulness. We just have to have eyes to see. We can trust Him! Praise be to God! Great is thy faithfulness!