Spiritual Warfare: 'God Tests You to See if You Will Obey Him'

God's Power for Our Battles — Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Carefully obey every command I give you today. Then you will live and grow in number, and you will enter and take the land the Lord promised your ancestors. Remember how the Lord your God has led you in the desert for these forty years, taking away your pride and testing you, because he wanted to know what was in your heart. He wanted to know if you would obey his commands.
— Deuteronomy 8:1-2 NCV

Today's Prayer

Lord, give me a fresh desire to study and know Your Word and Your commands. I confess that I have been full of pride in my own abilities and far too reliant on self. I have failed Your tests over and over. I have made so many decisions without trusting You or even asking for Your opinion. Forgive me. Help me to have a new heart today, a heart willing to obey and anxious to see Your opinion through dedicated prayer before acting. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

What Do You Learn from the Darkness
Article by Ron Rose
When life is tough, how does faith really help? Ron Rose writes about hard times and hospital visits and Job and Israel and what we do with the darkness we find ourselves in.
Hope in the Wilderness
Article by Mark Frost
How do we live in the interim? Mark Frost of http://www.interimministrypartners.com shares part 1 of a 4 part series on the interim season by comparing it to the journey through the wilderness.
The Discipline of the Wilderness
Article by Mark Frost
So is there anything good that can come from our time of challenge and hardship? Mark Frost of http://www.interimministrypartners.com shares part two on the journey through the wilderness during the interim and how God is preparing his people for great things.

Illustration

Illustration of Deuteronomy 8:1-2 NCV — Carefully obey every command I give you today. Then you will live and grow in number, and you will enter and take the land the Lord promised your ancestors. Remember how the Lord your God has led you in the desert for these forty years, taking away your pride and testing you, because he wanted to know what was in your heart. He wanted to know if you would obey his commands.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, May 13, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Discerning What Is False' (Jn. 8:13-16)
"[After Jesus had said he is the light of the world, the] Pharisees replied, "You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid."..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'None Like You' (1 Ch. 17:20)
"O Lord, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!"
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 John 1:5-6
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Johann K. Lavater:
"He who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare