Whether we like it or not we all face tests in life. Tests of how much we know, tests of our character and whether we will hold to our convictions or not, tests of whether we will be trustworthy, people of our word and faithful with what we have been given.
Testing is however something we often shy away from because perhaps we don’t like to be held accountable, think we may fail or are not disciplined enough to run the course we have had set before us.
God knows that life is going to test us but He says in His Word, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. “(1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)
Take for example the story of the talents and whether the three different servants would be good stewards of what they had been given. The fearful servant who lacked foresight and faith buried his talent and did nothing to increase or use it and was on the master’s return reprimanded for his cowardly attitude. Whereas the faithful servant who increased and used what they had been given were rewarded with more. A test that one man failed while the others passed. (Matthew 25:14-30)
All through the bible you will find the accounts of people and their tests of whether they will trust, obey God’s commands, and if they will follow God and His ways even when they do not know what is going to happen. We vividly see the consequences of their decisions. David who faced temptation as to whether he would be honest about his shortcomings and sin, and whether he would change his womanising ways or lose out on what God wanted to do through his life. Esther was tested in her courage as she faced the death of herself and her people. Moses was tested in his obedience and trust over and over again as he led the Israelites through the desert.
Sometimes they failed dismally as with David and his sin with Bathsheba, or Moses who struck the rock instead of obeying instructions and speaking to it to bring forth water. Their test was obedience and whether they would follow God’s ways or give in to temptation.
God wants the best for us and He is so gracious when we fall. However there are consequences and we can miss God’s best if we constantly follow our sinful desires over His Word and perfect will. David lost his son and Moses missed out on entering the promised land, yet God’s grace towards them was that He still kept relationship with them and restored their hearts as they turned to Him in repentance.
Today choose God. Life will test you, sometimes you will put yourself in situations you shouldn’t and other times the enemy will try to cause you to stumble. However God is faithful and the quicker we are to turn to Him the sooner we will experience His grace and strength to keep walking into our destiny.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV)
“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind”. (Psalm 26:2 ESV)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”. (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)
Prayer: Lord please help me to be honest with the situations I am facing and whether or not I have put myself in relationships or places which, just like David I have no business being in and which if left unchecked in my life, will cause me to stumble. Please give me the wisdom and grace to follow your ways and to not fail life’s tests, so that I can fully become all that you have made and purposed me to be. In Jesus Name Amen.
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