Deuteronomy 13.3 …you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord
your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart
and with all your soul. – Moses
I’ve heard it said that a test ought to lead to a testimony;
a trial ought to lead to a triumph; and a mess will lead to a message.
Glib? Perhaps, but certainly something to think about. And right here in
Deuteronomy 13, Moses said, God will purposely, intentionally test them.
Not it’s not like it’s some sort of galactic conspiracy
to see what we’ll do, but tests do lead to the development of character. Romans
5 says: suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,
character; and character, hope. (Vv. 3b,4) Hope is not: I hope God does something; but rather, hope
is God is doing something. Without hope, we’ve only just wishful thinking.
And y’know what? God won’t do anything in our freewill lives without some kind of test to see
where our choice will take us. It’s the only way freewill can be proven. And we can pass every test if we choose to...
Tests are there to see what is in our heart. “No temptation has overtaken you except what
is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way
out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10.13) The test is belief
that there is already a way out, and passing the test is hope: a fixed assurance
of that way.
Does God trust us? Yes, if we love Him with all of our
heart, soul, mind, and strength. But the tests will come because our choice
never ends. The tests prove our love.
Tests can be little, great, or somewhere in between; but
one thing is for sure, tests are for us. God knows our choice long before we
choose. Our choice reveals to us where our heart and devotion is with the Lord.
Father, I know and
accept that You test me. Your tests lead to my testimony. Your trials lead to
my triumph. And the messes I’ve made that You’ve used for my good, are my
message to others that relationship with You goes way beyond religion, and way
into a life in eternity spent with You. Help me today God! Amen
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