Politics and Religion and the Public Square

 The two subjects not to be talked about in polite conversation are politics and religion. Jesus Christ was not a political figure. He was sent by God  to redeem Israel, but he was viewed as a threat to the politics in his time as well as the religion of the day. He was a thorn in the side of the religious elite Pharisees and also to the political Herodians. The Romans were the rulers of the area, but the Herodians had their section of rule that they wanted to maintain. The Herodians and Pharisees were diametrically opposed to each other, but when Jesus developed a following among the people both groups united against him. It was a strange union but they had a common enemy due to their ambitions and desire for power.

One day Jesus entered into the synagogue and saw a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees watched Jesus to see if he would heal him on that sabbath day. Any work or action done on the sabbath was considered contrary to Judean law. They wanted to catch him and accuse him publicly. Jesus spoke to the man with the withered hand and told him to 'Stand Forth'. Let's just say his sense of loving righteous justice was elevated. Then he said to all those around him:

"Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" But they held their peace (remained silent).
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:4-5

Yes, Jesus at times got angry and experienced inward grief. Their hard hearts bothered him. It was love to confront them and expose their conspiratorial thinking. Then he did the one thing that proved what God is all about, he told the man with the withered hand to stretch it out. The man was emboldened to do just that, and as he did, his hand was healed.

So the Pharisees jumped for joy and praised God and realized the truth about the sabbath. No! They didn't! They got angrier!  Their sabbath was really about law and not the grace that God had in mind:

 The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Mark 2:27

It was a day of rest.  In fact take the 'Chapter 3' heading out (chapter markings were added by man and weren't in the original texts) and this verse provides some context for Mark 3:1-4.

The pharisees then joined with the  Herodians to go after Jesus. It was an 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' sort of relationship. Two opposing parties united to go after a common enemy, Jesus. 

It happens all the time and is very common today. People like to pull people to their side against some  cause. It is all over social media and extremely prevalent on FaceBook and Twitter.  God does not work that way. There is a great record (Joshua 5:13-15) about when Joshua was about to enter the promised land with the Israelites and when he faced opposition, an angel of the Lord with a sword appeared to him. Joshua asked the angel: "Are you for us or our adversaries?" God is faithful to his word. That is where he is. He has one side and it is truth. We all need to keep that in mind. I know I have to constantly remind myself of that. Jesus talking to the Pharisees is a great example of using truth as a basis for conversation. The Pharisees wanted to be the righteous ones, but Jesus directed them to God's wonderful grace and truth. When they took council against him, he withdrew himself. Those that followed him received the benefits of truth.

The Plain Path

Recently I dropped my husband off in Chicago and then drove home in busy Chicago traffic. I realized I had not done that in a long time. He usually is the one that drives. It is nice to sit back in the passenger seat and let someone else do the driving. However, I do enjoy driving. There is a sense of freedom being behind the wheel weaving in and out of traffic and trying a different route.

When things are presented to us and we don't have to go look for them, we can get a little lazy. Sometimes it may happen in one of two areas of our lives or in maybe many areas. For several years I was involved in a biblical group that taught tools on how to mine the Bible for its precious gold. I learned those lessons well and then because of how much I really enjoyed what I was learning, I wanted more. When God sees your heart to know him, he does not hold back. The whole idea of providing the gift of holy spirit in each one of our lives connects us to God individually and truly learning is a magnificent wonderful adventure.

During Old Testament times holy spirit was upon certain men and women to lead God's people. God connected with people through a leader who was endowed with God's spirit. With the coming of the New Covenant, established by the life, death, ascension and resurrection of Jesus Christ, any one who believes could have a connection with God.

 'Christ' was not Jesus's last name, it was a title conferred to him regarding his mission from God as a savior. He was a rescuer to bring true freedom to mankind. It still is his position and function.  He inaugurated a new kind of leadership style that put each individual in the driver's seat to carry out God's own personal mission for his or her own life. God has enabled us to handle anything that comes our way and can provide the GPS to help us route our path.

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalm 27:11

The 'plain path' refers level ground and a smooth path free of being dragged down by obstacles. This word has been used to describe plateaus and geographical plains. This world is full of obstacles but God can help anyone  weave through them smoothly. He can also keep us above the things that try to drag us down. 'Enemies' refers to those who lie in wait. God can prosper and provide safety and comfort even during the craziest times.  Each of us has to take the wheel and steer and trust God's way (his heart, his manner) that he has provided.

The Forgiving Father

There is a great parable recorded in Luke 15:11–32. The record itself has been titled in a number of ways: The Parable of The Two Brothers, The Prodigal Son, The Lost Son, The Loving Father and The Forgiving Father to name a few. I guess the title is in the eyes of the beholder added by man. For me, The Forgiving Father works as does The Loving Father.

According to Webster, a 'prodigal' foolishly spends money or time.  We are all prodigals; I know I am at times. I know there are also times I have looked at things with a mindset like the oldest of the two brothers in the parable. This record reflects God's heart as a father and that is what is important:

A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

At tis point the son realized that life was not easy when he tried to live it the way he thought he wanted to. Life back where he came from was better even as a servant in his father's house than what he had encountered living as his desires pushed him:

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father.

His admission as to his wrong thinking helped him wake up and smell the roses! This is healthy guilt. Shame is a deeper feeling of unworthiness and self-deprecation. It leads to fear and condemnation both of which are unnecessary burdens to carry when one makes a correction in direction. Look at how the father reacted! 

But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Just like this parable, God's heart jumps for joy when we realize that God's heart and hand on our lives brings peace and strength! Worldly thinking will tempt us to question freedom, but true freedom is experienced in living without fear and its burdens.

The other son needed some help too:

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

He had some issues in his thinking: 

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 15:11-32

A parable is meant to teach a simple lesson. This parable is about God's love and not about the either son missing the mark. The center of the target is God's huge love that never stops. He does not withhold love but we often lose sight of it and that is when we miss out.

The other day I was at a shooting range and was having trouble lining the sights of the gun. Each eye gave me a different picture. God gave us two eyes that provide depth when used together.  It is when we focus with both of them that our brain actually does the seeing without conflict. Our spiritual eyes do the same thing. We see one thing with one eye and another image with the other. Opening both eyes brings focus.  Looking at both stories of the two sons at the same time shows us greater depth of the enormous love of the the father toward both sons.

Yes You Can!

Religion is man-made. It is how man approaches something he/she worships.  I'm not a fan of religion  because it is man deciding how to reach God. God is dynamically loving. He's bigger than the human mind. Man is puny in comparison, but God does not see 'puny' when he sees us. He sees us through the spiritual genetics of his son. His desire for each and every person is strength, wisdom and success and victory over our messes. He reaches down gives us all the tools to do just that. Our job is acceptance and belief.

Jesus called the pharisees 'whited sepulchers'. because they maintained a facade of whitewashed piety. There is no life inside a sepulcher. The pharisees were the ultimate experts in the fine art of 'virtual signaling'. 'Virtual signaling' is a buzzword in our digital culture referring to the practice of propounding or rather pounding moral correctness into the megabyte airways of our society. It is a sneaky way to get people to adhere to moral law pushing and obfuscating grace right out of out of view. 

 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 

There is no human being that ever lived or is alive today that can dispute this. We all sin!

Being justified freely by his grace (downward action of God) through the redemption (lifting us up) that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance (patient endurance) of God; Romans 3:24-25 (Romans 3 is such a great chapter!)

It is the difference between God's righteousness (grace) and self-righteousness (works) that we need to understand. What a relief it is when we finally get it! Religion, when based on self-righteousness is tiring, boring, self-defeating and an ultimate path to burn-out. Grace encourages, loves, lifts the heart, soothes, calms, enlightens, patiently endures with expectation of victory. It is the basis for:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

*A great record to read about works and grace is John 8:1-12

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?"

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?" She said, "No man, Lord." And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

Seeing the Word Take Hold of Any Situation

God protects us through his word.  It is more than just reading a few appropriate verses and going about our merry way. It is all about making it a reality in any situation we face. Psalm 91 can be lived to the fullest in facing adversity.  Even if we may have made a few mistakes or two and gotten into a bit of a mess, God is there when we call on him. Life is messy. God isn't. He loves us, forgives us and helps us set things in order when we go to that special place in our minds where he can abide.

91 1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High (Elyon) shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty  Shaddai). 2 I will say of the Lord (Yahweh), He is my refuge and my fortress: my God (Elohim); in him will I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

I wrote out the Hebrew words in the parentheses because when we look at these 4 names of God and connect him to these promises in Psalm 91, it is breath-taking. The rest of Psalm 91 is filled with more wonderful promises that rest in God's signatures.

First of all we can dwell in the secret place of the most High.  'Elyon' is a name of God. Its root word has the meaning "to go up " or "be high". This name of God refers to God's supremacy, he is above that all that exists. 'Shaddai' refers to God as the Almighty. This refers to God's great power. His power doesn't control us; he leaves that up to our own choice but we can call on that power in a split second.

The third name of God listed in this Psalm is 'Yahweh'. 'Yahweh' emphasizes God's relationship to us and his creation. God is a refuge or shelter and a fortress to us. No one can help us like God can.  He is our  highest, almighty stronghold. 

The last name listed here is Elohim, the God of creation. It is in the God of creation that we confide or trust in. The physical creation shows us his faithfulness.  All around us are constant reminders of God's faithfulness through his creation. The sun rises and sets everyday without fail. Gravity is constant. We don't have to even think about whether gravity will fail us. It is faithful everyday and night. Birds fly, fish swim and flowers grow. All of these things are faithful blessings to us.  There are so many examples of God's faithfulness in the universe.  We have clear evidence of a God that we can confide in and trust.

The language in Psalm 91 is beautiful and reassuring. It is a good psalm to memorize and say out loud. As we do, the words exert a powerful force in our thinking because the God of the universe stands behind its words.

Male and Female Created He Them

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female

created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:27-28

This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Genesis 5:1-2

If we honestly take a look at these verses, we don't need to dig too deeply to see how God sees men and women. First of all, it says that God created man in his own image. An image is a representation of something else. An icon on a computer screen represents a program. If you click on it you get to the program. God is spirit. He wanted to have a connection with man(both male and female) So man is a physical being and he has the capability through spirit to show forth God. Man can be seen, spirit is invisible.

The very next phrase involves both men and women. He told them both to be fruitful, multiply, replenish,  subdue and have dominion. In Genesis 5 he called their name Adam (similar to mankind). Adam is the one who named Eve.

It is significant that God repeated this twice in Genesis. God saw that Adam would be blessed by having someone else at his side. Eve was not someone to be the boss over, but someone who would help contribute to fruitfulness, populating, replenishing, subduing and having dominion over the wilds of the earth.  The spirit (the 'in God's image') was with them. God didn't have a lesser or greater role for either of them. Yes, Eve was structured differently from Adam and had different functions but they worked together. Men and women are designed differently.

When one of God's angels (spirit being)went rogue and decided to take over for himself, he talked Eve into checking in to the knowledge of good and evil. He showed Eve another side of life that ultimately would bring on stuff that God never intended. This foe would gain access into their lives and turn their focus to selfishness.  Enter fear, pressure, anxiety, hardship, issues with life and on and on. God briefly touches on this in Genesis 3:16-23. Life would involve more sweat, insecurity with its mental companion, dependency, and with power struggles. Raising kids became harder as a result. Sickness and death entered into the scene. None of this was caused by God. God gave Adam and Eve free will to love and believe him.

No father ever wants to have to make his children love and respect him. That's not love. Parents are responsible to love, teach and train their children when they are young. There comes a point that the child as an adult becomes responsible to make the choices for themselves. Human control over others is not a force of God.

Adam and Eve felt that they needed to see for themselves instead of listening to their creator. They decided that they might be better at doing life even with all that God had offered and given them. This thinking continued on and on  throughout history and is ever so prevalent today. This is the real reason why bad things happen.

God's purpose for Jesus Christ (prophesied in Genesis 3:15) was to destroy the works of evil by defeating death and offering a way to the awaiting heart of God and all of his spiritual blessings. Jesus Christ reflected the image of God by showing God's love to mankind.  

God' s Word

Too often we think of the Word of God as only a book of devotion or a handbook of religious doctrine.  The Word is not something we just passively receive from God. It is a living book and its wisdom can be applied to everything in life.  Proverbs 4:20-23 really lays this out:

20 My son, attend (action) to my words; incline (action) thine ear unto my sayings.21 Let them not depart (action) from thine eyes; keep (action -shamar) them in the midst of thine heart.22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.23 Keep (action-natsar) thy heart with all diligence (mismar - confinement); for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:20-23

The word 'attend' in this verse involves inclining one's ear toward something. We should not just look at the Word as something to assimilate; it just doesn't drift into our brain cells. We are actively involved.  The next word of action, 'incline', sounds the same as 'attend' by definition.  In Hebrew (luz) it means to bend. Again we are called upon to move by leaning toward and bending.  Next we are not to let God's word 'depart' (turn aside). We hear, move toward and do not turn away from the wisdom of God.

The other three words in red refer to protecting what we learn.  'Shamar' is a verb which means preserve or watch over. 'Natsar' is similar and refers to 'guarding' the heart in verse 23. 'Mismar' is a noun connected with the verb 'shamar'. We keep our hearts with confinement regarding what we learn from God.

There is so much in these verses that emphasize the importance of keeping the word around, over, among and safe within us. It is not too hard to figure out why God impresses  us with this if we look at all that is around us, bombarding us everyday. God's promises are real and they are to remembered actively so as not to be drawn into the drama and shadows that so pervade our world. Evil can only function where God is not allowed. Where God is there is love:

~faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6b         

It really is that simple. We don't have to quarantine from life or hide under a rock, because we can turn to God and seek his wisdom about anything and get real answers. So many times when I enter the pages of the Word and revel in its life-quickening atmosphere. Whatever has been bothering me just evaporates away and when I leave I feel energized and renewed. The negative world just melts down and drains off and that is a great thing!

Dumping the Dumps ~ Lifting Depression

How does fully understanding the purpose of Jesus Christ help lift us out of the doldrums of the world? Depression is widely talked among people from all walks of life.  It is a common household word; but do we understand it and do we really know how to escape its pressure pushing down on our hearts? Depression is much more than sadness.  It may involve anger, hurt, unhealthy feelings about ourselves or how we respond to those around us. Often it manifests itself in our thinking as a sense that the worst part of us may be what we are all about.

Frequently depression is a reaction to oppression of some sort. This world swirls around offering all of its lures and cures that do not help us at all and tend to make things worse.  I look at all God has created and it is easy to see that God really wants us free and blessed. When one looks at God's word from his point of view, it flings open the doors on a shuttered heart to the extent that one becomes aware of an incredible joy that just won't leave. The most important thing you can learn in your life is who God is, that he is full of mercy and grace and loves us beyond measure.

There is evil in this world. Evil gets a foothold where God is not allowed. The battleground is in our own minds. It is hard walking around this world to not be bombarded by things that God never intended us to deal with. So why do we? God gave us free will. We can either accept or reject him. He can be found when we look.  He is in the creation (Romans 1:20). He also had his Word put into print:

He sent his word, and healed  them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20

God also gave us his son who lived and walked this earth displaying the heart of God. He was a man who was a healer and forgiver. He spoke the truth in love and he showed us the way of a how we can connect with the Father and have the resurrected freedom God wants for us:

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15

God also gave us the gift of holy spirit to provide comfort, guidance, strength, reassurance and the all truth that is so freeing. God has freely given us all the enablements we need. As far as God is concerned, the past is over, we can handle today and the future is bright!

For cloudy times the best practical and simple thing we can do is:

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8

The heart may take a little melting before it can be poured. That part is up to you to think through all the resources God has given you and do that work. It might involve talking to God, reading a great book like Ephesians or something else that lifts your mind

I have a little notebook that I write down all the wonderful things God has done for me. I even like to write down the great things God is doing for others. Often I just open it up and read it  and I am reminded of real things and I marvel all over again.  It drowns out the noise of this world completely.

Who is Jesus Christ and What Does He Mean To Us?

In the gospel of John, in chapter 17, we are given an in-depth view of the heart of Jesus just before he was arrested. He prayed for his disciples:

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. John 17:14-18

There was definitely a reaction to the ministry of Jesus during that day and time. The 'world' did not greet him with open arms just as the 'world' still does not today. 

The next few verses of his prayer include you and me. Yes, Jesus Christ prayed for us:

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:20-26

Jesus looked forward to the future. He is resurrected, ascended and is 'set down at the right hand of God'.  This is a figure of speech. God is spirit and is everywhere. 'The right hand of God' refers to the authority of God given to Jesus Christ as head of his church.  It is not a place. It is his function. For a long time I thought of it as a place. If that is true, we might ask "What does he do all day?". Having the authority of God to carry on God's business to his church, he is very busy!

Take a look at this verse:

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:4-6

What does that indicate about your own life? On the day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ by the authority of God, poured out the gift of holy spirit for all who believe. With this gift believers have all the enablements to carry out God's word and works on this earth.

In the Epistle of 1st John we see this come into fruition. This what the church is now:

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. I John 1:3-4

No one can stand between you and God, Jesus Christ and any believer who walks in God's light. We have a lot to be thankful for. This was God's ultimate goal from the beginning of time. So what if the world philosophies don't agree, we have the tools to handle it! The best thing you can do in any situation is go straight to God and expect help and guidance, not to mention comfort, peace and joy. It is all in the package! Read John 14:11-20!

 

 

 

 

 

Religion causes even greater divides and much of it centers on the who and why of Jesus Christ. 

 

Tempt God?

The world sometimes seems like it is spinning out of control. We have periods of prosperity and well-being and then along comes something we can't quite figure out. If we look back into Old Testament times there are plenty of examples of this happening to learn from. The Hebrews trekking across the wildness is a great one.  God supplied the Hebrew's needs time and time again, and yet when something went awry, they threw up their arms in desperation and complained and argued with God. Moses asked them why they were tempting God? If we think of how we use the word 'tempt', we might not understand and we might ask: "How do we tempt God?"

When Jesus was confronted by some formidable situations in the wilderness, the enemy challenged him several times to get him to doubt God. The devil wanted Jesus to worship him. Jesus answered with God's word. Slyly, the adversary responded by challenging him with scripture. 

4 But he  (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee (to keep thee in all thy ways): and in their hands they shall bear thee up, , lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4:4-7

Satan quoted this scripture from Psalm 91:10-13.

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Psalm 91:10-13

He omitted the words 'to keep thee in all thy ways'  and he added the words 'at any time' to Psalm 91:6. Not only did the adversary misquote God's word, he changed the meaning slightly especially when he tried to cast doubt using the word 'IF' to start with and the last verse 91:13 he did not quote. 

He tried to provoke Jesus into testing God out. Jesus zeroed in on the enemy's basic problem of challenging God! Tempting, testing and proving God biblically is questioning "Is the Lord among us or not?" (Exodus 17:7) Jesus knew and believed His Father had his back. He did not have to prove it to the devil!

We can do the same in the current crazy times.  We can endure having fear pushed at us by keeping God and his faithfulness in the forefront of our minds.

Does God Side With Some Over Others?

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay (Neither); but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? Joshua 5:13-14

God doesn't take sides, we take God's side.

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark 9:38-40

God is no respecter of persons. He is pleased when anyone trust and believes his word.

25 And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.
29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! Numbers11:25-29

God desires that all walk, trust and rely on him.