Are We Up For The Test?

Judges 2:22 “I did this to test Israel – to see whether or not they would obey the Lord as their ancestors did.”

When we look back on history, we see so many examples of where God allowed certain things to happen to His people to test them and strengthen them. The people of Israel had to put their faith in God to leave Egypt where even though they were mistreated, it was the only home they knew. However, they left in hope for a better life, for a promised land.

While the people were in the wilde
ess, they were tested to see how much they trusted in God and they didn’t even know where their next meal would come from. They didn’t have a lot of clothing. They didn’t have any communication with the outside world. They only were provided with hope from God that He would make great things happen for them. God continued to test them throughout their journey.

Exodus 16:4 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.’”

We see men and women who lost loved ones yet continued to trust in God and do His will. We see men and women who had to face battles against enemies who appeared greater than they were yet continued to trust in God and do His will. We see men and women who had to give up everything in order to follow God.

These situations continue to repeat over and over again today. We are continually tested because we are God’s people. He has chosen us to do His will while we are here on earth. When He needs to get our attention, He gets it. When we need to be disciplined, He does it. When we need to be tested, He puts something in front of us to see how we will respond.

Whether or not we believe we are living as God wants us to, we will continue to be tested. God’s reasons for testing us are to bring us back to Him, to strengthen us and to be an example for others. Look at Abraham. He was a man of God, yet God tested him with his only son. Abraham was willing to take his son’s own life for God. When God called Abraham, he replied “here I am.”

Genesis 22:1-2 “Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. ‘Abraham!’ God called. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’ ‘Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.’”

What a great love Abraham had for God to be willing to give his son as a sacrifice for Him. Abraham’s trust in God was so big that he knew God had a better plan for him. He was going to take his son’s life without even thinking about what he was giving up. Is our love for God that great? Is our trust in Him that big? Do we think too much before we take the actio
God wants us to take?

When we have issues to deal with, rather than wondering why it has to happen to us and what others think we should do, think about how God wants us to handle the situation. We need to pray about what God wants us to do so we can become closer to Him, so we can become stronger in His word and so we can be an example to others. God has a reason for every situation we encounter. He is waiting for us to turn to Him so He can make a difference.