GOD WILL TEST US

Has any of us felt that we are being tested by God? Have we felt weak and drained out in such situations? Have we felt we were alone battling the “enemy” of our souls? While struggling with such trials and testings, have we ever felt we are on the verge of collapse? Have we ever felt helpless and hopeless? Have we ever felt God is “absent” in our struggles? Well, dear brothers and sisters, take comfort, we are not the only people to go through such an ordeal. In fact, every legitimate child of God will be tested and tried to the very core, even as He starts to use us.

Let it be fixed in our hearts and minds that GOD WILL TEST US!!! He tests us not to trouble us, but to strengthen us and make us fitter for His purposes, and for the work of His kingdom.
– “2 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.4 Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. 6 “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” – Deuteronomy 8:2-6

The purpose of God allowing all such trials and testings is…
– To make us strong and sturdy; 
– To make us “worthy” to face the enemy of our souls, and withstand all his wiles and guiles. 
– To make us know who God is and His goodness, greatness, grace, mercy and love for us. 
– It is to help us know ourselves, our frailty, our fragility and our unfaithfulness.
– “God tested Israel. One purpose of the testing was to know what was in their heart, and if they would be obedient even in humble, dependent seasons. It was not because God didn’t know their hearts, but because they didn’t know their hearts. Believers must constantly be corrected for their overestimation of themselves.” – David Guzik

God will test us in four different ways. This part of the meditation is taken loosely from a post which I came across, that mentions these four ways. Let us look at them.

1. GOD GIVES US WHAT WE WANT IMMEDIATELY and TESTS OUR GRATITUDE
– “18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

2. GOD DOES NOT GIVE US WHAT WE WANT and TESTS OUR FAITH
– “7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

3. GOD DELAYS WHAT WE WANT and TESTS OUR PATIENCE
– “31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

4. GOD INTENTIONALLY WITHHOLDS HIS HAND and TESTS OUR FAITHFULNESS
– “20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD. 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” – Job 1:20-22

The test may feel heavy, but it is proof that God is preparing us for something greater. Let us therefore, learn to TRUST God and His judgement. Let us learn to LEAN upon Him and His grace as we walk on our journey. Come what may, let us learn to be FAITHFUL and OBEDIENT in all what God is leading us into. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.