Abraham
I was reading in Genesis about Abraham and in chapter 22 and the first verse states:
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.”
Genesis 22:1
We all know the story of how God called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, which is the test being referenced here. However, for some reason the words just seemed to jump off the page and burn deep in my spirit like a fire that could not be extinguished. “God tested Abraham.” Let’s take a look at some other places in scripture where God tests.
Philip
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” John 6:5-6
The Lord targeted Philip to test him and see what he was going to say, how he was going to respond. Would he respond in faith, or would he doubt. The excerpt is taken from the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. How would you have responded to Jesus, in faith or in doubt? Philip failed this particular test because he responded this way, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” John 6:7 Quite honestly, I would have had the same response. Thank goodness the Lord is patient with us.
Israelites
“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20
Moses is telling the Israelite people that God has come to test them. Moses even goes so far as to give them the reason for the testing. So that the fear of God will be with them and keep them from sinning. I find it interesting how our tests can bring us closer to God, provided that we run to him instead of from him. It is in that closeness that there will come a desire not to sin. My son put it best when he told us that he respects us as parents so much that he desires to do what is right in order to keep our relationship with him in a place of peace and joy. He told us he doesn't desire to do anything that would break that trust he has with us as parents.
Our relationship with God should be so deep and close that we desire to do things that bring our Heavenly Father joy. Anything that brings God joy will always be in the opposite direction of sin. All that to say, if we allow it, the tests will bring closeness to our Heavenly Father and out of that closeness brings a desire not to sin so that His name can be glorified.
“...The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 13:3b
This verse falls behind Moses telling the Israelites that they should be aware of prophets who speak of following other gods. Moses says that when (not if, but when) this happens, they are to know that it is a test from the Lord to see if they truly love him with all their heart and soul. Oh, how timely this is for us today! Especially in light of the world’s race-car pace brought to a screeching halt due to covid-19. How many idols/other gods can no longer function and operate now that we are isolated to our homes. Let me give you just two examples. The idol of sports, can no longer be played. The idol of the entertainment world, can no longer continue to produce their ungodly movies, TV shows, and music. The Lord is using this time to test us to find out whether we love him with all of our heart and soul. Well, do we? We certainly have the time now to ponder this question and the time to search it out for ourselves. We have the time to make an educated, informed decision as to which side of the fence we are going to live our lives on. I find this time we are in to be fascinating.
Please don’t misunderstand me here, I’m not saying covid-19 is from the Lord. But, can’t God use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise? (1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV) Can't God work all things together for good? (Romans 8:28) There is always going to be the opportunity for joy to shine forth in our pain if we give God that opportunity. We don’t always look at our trials through a kingdom lens, but what if we did? What if we stop to smell the roses in the middle of the city dump? What if we fixed our eyes on Jesus when the wind and the waves were trying their hardest to take us out and the rest of the world with us? (Matthew 14:28-32)
What if?
Oh, Lord, in these uncertain times may our pain be turned into joy because we have taken this time to fix our eyes on you rather than the swirling chaos around us. Thank you for putting our faith to the test, knowing that on the other side of it our faith and love for you will be stronger because we put our trust in you. We pray that through the test you will show us your joy. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
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