For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:3
The word test is defined as a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance or reliability of something. We are in a time when the word test is used more often than ever. People are taking Covid tests, antibody tests, and even saliva tests, with hopes of getting negative results from the virus that seems to be changing our society and our lives. People are being tested.
Life itself affords us many opportunities to be tested. We are constantly tested on things such as our morals, our beliefs, our integrity, our honesty, our faith, and even our God.
Last week in total frustration with the news media and their presentation, or lack thereof, of the news, I found myself tuning into an old Leave It To Beaver episode. In this particular one, Beaver is perplexed because he used his Dad’s library card to check out a book without his permission, and he lost the book. He hid all the overdue notices which came in the mail, and didn’t tell his Dad in hopes that he would find the book. Of course, dishonesty never works, and he was found out. Beaver was tested on honesty, and his Dad made a good point when he said, “When you tell one lie you always have to tell another to cover up the first.” Beaver had his honesty tested.
What difference does it make to be honest? The Christian should answer this question with something like, “it makes all the difference to God” or “speak the truth to one another”. Zechariah 8:18 When we are honest, we build strength of character that will allow us to be of greater service to God and to others.
God tests us just as He tested Abraham with his son, Isaac. He wants to see if there is anything we love more than Him. God tests us for basically two reasons. First, to prove Himself faithful to us, and second, to give us an opportunity to prove our faithfulness to Him.
When God tests us, that’s the best time to test Him by putting His promises to the test and then claiming from Him exactly what your trials have made necessary. There are two ways of getting out of a trial. One is simply to try and get out of the trial, and then to be thankful when it’s over. The other way is to recognize that the trial is a challenge from God to claim a larger blessing than we have ever before experienced and to accept it with delight as an opportunity of receiving a greater measure of God’s divine grace.
During these tests, even the Adversary becomes a help to us, and all things that seem to be against us turn out to assist us along our way. This is what is meant by in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Tests let us know that there are expectations, things required of us. When we are tested, we have a tendency to look around at things that can’t be done. We are drawn to things that we can’t do. That’s when Jesus comes to the aid of those of us who are tempted to despair and give us strength we don’t know we have.
First, we gain the strength to look to Him for what’s lacking in us. Some of us do well in studying before the test, but feel totally inadequate to take the tests when they are provided. Norman Vincent Peale reminds us that, “the tests of life are not to break you, but to make you”.
Then, we learn to have hope. People are still feeling isolated for many different reasons, because of this, we need to embrace the mind of Christ and take the test He offers of reaching out to others and giving hope. Don’t give up – give Hope.
God is going to test each of us to make sure our faith, our identity, and our security are found in Him alone. We can’t let the gifts we enjoy become more important than the Giver because that undermines His purpose for our lives.
God tested Abraham for a very long time by delaying the fulfillment of His promise, Satan tested him through temptation, and people tested him through their jealousy, distrust, and opposition. We sometimes experience the same thing in our lives. Remember, Abraham was tested but he patiently waited, ultimately received what was promised and was satisfied. If we imitate his example, we will share the same blessing.
When we pass the test, we are blessed with peace of mind and self respect so that we can better serve God. Passing the test is a reflection of our character and a way to show our faith. Take the test and remember, after the testing comes the blessing!