Genesis 12:10 (KJV)
And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to
sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
No matter who we are, there comes a time in our lives when we will find ourselves faced with trying circumstances that take us beyond the normal realm of living. In this portion of scripture, God was providing Abraham and Sarah an essential lesson in faith. You see, ladies, tests often follow our achievements. They help us make use of our increasing understanding of the Lord. Are you in the habit of yielding to God ordained examinations? Tough circumstances like the experience of a famine build the basis of one’s faith; I hope you don’t try to run from your tutorials! In facing this test, God was teaching Abraham and Sarah to think clearly and to trust Him for guidance as they relied upon His Word. The next time you face a test, don’t try to second-guess what the Lord is doing, just use the intelligence He already gave you!
Genesis 22:1-2 (KJV)
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and
said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. [2] And he said,
Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee
into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon
one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Ladies, it is important that we understand tests are intended to make us, not break us! God tested Abraham, not to trip him and watch him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey God and thus to develop his character. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines you and me through difficult circumstances. When we are tested, we can complain and crumble, or we can try to see how the Lord is extending us beyond our normal aptitude to enlarge our inner strength. Mind you, that stretching is not a comfortable experience, but it is an aid to our maturity.
Deut. 8:2 (KJV)
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these
forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know
what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments,
or no.
Actually, some of the most severe tests come from the Lord, not people! As a Christian, you better expect them… Are you able to bear out your stated belief in God? Abraham’s test involving his only son Isaac required a sacrifice of his own preferences and it brought Abraham’s real priorities out in the open. Hence, he was able to distinguish where he had improved and where he still needed to. The Lord wants us to KNOW what is in our hearts! Oftentimes we don’t like to discover the truth about ourselves, but the Lord would have us toughen up, take the test, face reality and then correct the problem. We should aspire to identify the depth of our commitment to the Lord…
2 Chron. 32:31 (KJV)
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon,
who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land,
God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
Testing can also bring out our true character. In this portion of scripture, God tested Hezekiah to see what he was really like, to show him his own shortcomings and the attitude of his heart. Yes, your attitude affects your suitability for demanding activities… God did not totally abandon Hezekiah, nor did he tempt him to sin, or even trick him. The test was meant to strengthen Hezekiah, increase his character, and prepare him for the tasks ahead. In times of personal achievement, most of us can live a pretty good life. But bring in some pressure, some trouble, or some pain, and the thin covering of our goodness is quickly removed unless our strength is rooted in God! What are you like under pressure or when everything is going wrong? Do you give up or turn to the Lord? Those who are consistently in touch with the Lord don’t have to worry about what demands placed upon them may prove about them. They simply submit to authority and grow in grace and knowledge. In fact, obedience oftentimes leads to greater testing for the glory of God!
Psalm 11:5 (KJV)
The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence
his soul hateth.
In closing, testing gives us a clear opportunity to build up our most holy faith - with God’s help! Realize that the Lord does not preserve believers from difficult circumstances, but He tests both the righteous and the wicked. Nobody is exempt from holy exam or being wholly examined. For some, God’s tests become a refining fire, while for others they become an incinerator for destruction. Don’t ignore or defy the tests and challenges that come your way. They are not designed to cause you terror but rather provide you another chance to trust in the Lord. He will gladly offer you His strength when you don’t think you can be stretched any further! Employ your testings as occasions to reach new levels of faith in God.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
