Don't Waste A Good Test

February 15, 2012 “Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange were befalling you.” (I Peter 4:12 Amp.) A new military recruit is tested to see if he meets the criteria already set forth, and an applicant for a new job is tested to see if he is qualified to carry out the responsibilities of that job. When we are tested in school we must have the knowledge required to pass the exam and/or the grade. When we are medically tested we go through a rigor of exams to determine the level of our health. What is any test for? To find out our true quality of knowledge in any particular area; to find out the quality of our ability; in a spiritual test – it is to find out the quality of our faith; and to find out the quality of our integrity. Christians are also tested, but these are spiritual tests used by our Father God to prove to us the quality of our faith (He already knows), and to give us spiritual exercise to strengthen our “faith” muscles. Actually, our tests are to prove to us that God will be faithful to keep His promises in whatever testing through which we are going, and thus our faith will be strengthened. If we fail to trust God in our first test it will be administered again in a different situation until we pass the test of faith for that particular area of difficulty. “So don’t be perplexed at your ‘fiery’ situation which is taking place, just remember this is to test your faith and is not as though something strange were befalling you.” Testings prove the strength of our faith. Remember how Abraham’s faith was tested and proved, in Genesis 22:1- 18, when he was told by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham obeyed, but God intervened and they both returned to their family. Abraham’s faith was tested and proven strong. In Habakkuk 3:17-19, Habakkuk was proclaiming that although everything in his life was bad, yet he would rejoice in the Lord and exult in his victorious God of his salvation. He confessed that God was his strength, his personal bravery, and his invincible army. God made his feet like hind’s feet and made him to walk and not stand still in terror but make spiritual progress upon his high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility (Amp). Because of his continued faith in God He was able to rejoice in the midst of his tests. Testings come to humble us. Paul was sorely tested with pride because of his special spiritual experiences God had allowed him. But Saul was given a “thorn in the flesh” – a messenger of Satan to harass him, (whether in his spirit or a physical pain). Whatever this “thorn” was, it kept him humble. Our testings come to turn us away from worldly things. Look at how Moses was tempted with the things of this world in Hebrews 11:23-29. As a baby Moses was adopted by the king’s daughter and was heir to everything. Although he could have had anything of the world, yet, when he was grown to maturity and was great, he was aroused by faith and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He preferred to share the hardships and shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life and all the treasures of Egypt. He passed the tests because he was focused on the future reward – freedom from the world and hope for the coming world and to be one with Christ, the Messiah. Also, Moses was tested in order to speak, through his faith, to the unsaved who were watching (Pharaoh and all the Egyptians in Exodus 14:4). “Happy is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive the victor’s crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). Testings teach us to value the blessings of God. When we are in the thick of trouble we need only to look around and we will find someone much worse off. I have heard an old saying, “I grumbled because I didn’t have any shoes until I met a man who didn’t have any feet.” James 1:9-10 says, “Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God, and the rich person ought to glory in being humbled by being shown his human frailty, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away” (Amp). What a testing it is when wealth or health or love is removed from our life. It is then that we will realize what true wealth is – it is to know and be loved by God. II Corinthians 1:6-8 and Luke 22:31-32 tells us that when we go through testings and sufferings it is so our faith will be strengthened as we trust in Jesus, and then we in turn can help and be an encouragement to others who are going through those same tests and sufferings. Christ is not only our most glorious Example but Helper we see in Hebrews 2:18, “For because He Himself in His humanity has suffered in being tempted, tested and tried, He is able immediately to run to the cry to assist and relieve those who are being tempted and tested and tried and who therefore are being exposed to suffering.” And like our example, Jesus, we learn obedience through our suffering and testing (Hebrews 5:7-9). Christ has promised that “there is no testing nor temptation that comes to us is beyond human resistance, but God is faithful to His Word and can be trusted not to let us be tested beyond our ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the testing He will always provide the way out that we may be strong enough to bear up under it patiently” (I Corinthians 10:13 (Amp). To remember Whose we are when we are being tested will give us courage and faith to endure with patience until we come through the testing victoriously (Romans 8:31-39). Think on:Ephesians 1:4; Psalm 23; Philippians 4:13; James 2:5; Jude 24; Revelation 21:3; II Corinthians 5:17,21; I Peter 2:9-10; Deuteronomy 28:13; II Samuel 22:30; Isaiah 54:15-17; I John 5:4, 5, 20, 21. “Christ by nature, Son of God, became son of man so we by nature, son of man, might become a son of God” (Galatians 4:4-7). Don’t waste a good test and grow weary in doing what is right, for in due time we shall reap if we don’t lose our courage, but stand, leaning on Jesus (Gal.6:9; Eph.6:13, 14). Where Could I Go? James B. Coats Living below in this old sinful world, hardly a comfort can afford; Striving alone to face temptations sore, where could I go but to the Lord?