Articles
Testing, Testing
Here’s a thought: What we’re going through right now and what we may yet be facing is a test. It will determine what we are made of. It will reveal our true character. It will assess us as perhaps nothing else has.
Consider these passages:
“…God tested Abraham….'Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering…" (Gen. 22:1-2; see Heb. 11:17-1). This had to be one of the toughest tests imaginable, but God believed Abraham’s faith had grown to the point that he could pass this ultimate test—and did he ever!
Moses told Israel that in the wilderness God was “testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not" (Deut. 8:2; see v. 16). So often Israel fell short.
Another test for Israel: "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut. 13:1-3).
When King Hezekiah received officials from Babylon, he unwisely showed them all of his treasures. What he evidently did not realize is that "God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart” (Isa. 39:1-8; 2 Chron. 32:31).
Before feeding the 5,000, "Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do." Philip answered him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little'" (John 6:5-6). Philip did not get an A on that one.
Now these last two are especially for us today:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-3; see 1 Peter 1:6-7).
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
Ready for your next test?
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
