Pastor’s Corner: “Attention: This is Only a Test!”
Luke 12:34 (NIV) – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It would be wonderful if there was some kind of a test that we could take to measure spiritual maturity. All the tests that are commonly used (Bible school and seminary) reveal only the amount of information that a student has amassed. There is nothing that we have developed that reveals the real spiritual achievement of a life.
While we have not been able to devise any such test, God is always testing us. Say the word “test” and most people cringe. That’s because tests bring undue stress and pressure that we’d rather live without. Nonetheless, tests have many purposes. They analyze our intelligence or skill; determine what we have learned, and reveal who we are. Then there are spiritual tests. They often try our faith and commitment to God. Think of Abraham: Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV) – Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Scripture reveals that God tests our hearts, our faith and our obedience. 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV) – 7 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. James 1:2-3 (NIV) – 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Exodus 16:4 (NLT) – I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.
Our heavenly Father even sends us frequent troubles to test our faith. If our faith is worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt (gold plated) is afraid of fire, but gold is not. It is a poor faith that can only trust God when friends are true, the body is healthy, and the business profitable; but it is true faith that rests in the Lord’s faithfulness when friends are gone, the body is ailing, spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father’s face is hidden. A faith that can say, in the deepest trouble, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (John 13:15) is heaven-born faith.
And more than this, His testing does not come when we are warned and ready. Anyone can pass a test then. If I tell you that I am going to test you to see if you exhibit love under pressure, whether you can keep your temper when you are being irritated, and if you can be sweet when things are going wrong, you are likely to pass with flying colors. But God never tests that way. His tests catch us unprepared, off-guard. It is when we are confronted with some simple situation that no one will know about that the tests of life really come.
It is one thing to be present in a service where the Spirit is moving in evident power, and an appeal goes out to rededicate the heart. In light of God’s presence and love we say, Here am I, Lord, I give my life to you. But this is never the test. The test comes when some situation occurs in daily life that forces you to face the question: Is my body really available for Him to do what He wants? Am I ready to respond to the need of the human heart right there in front of me? Am I ready to give of myself without limitation to meet a demand that comes suddenly in the course of my busy life?
God doesn’t use difficult circumstances to find out what we’ll do. He already knows us better than we know ourselves. He uses tests to reveal us to ourselves! He often uses a test to show us where we need improvement. The question for you and me today is this. When God doesn’t behave like we think He should, when it seems like He has turned the other way and broken every promise, will we still love and trust Him? When the pregnancy test is negative, will you still love Him? When your loved one dies, will you still love Him? When the job interview falls flat, will you still love Him? When no treatment can be found, will you still love Him? Our Father knows that for His children to have unshakable faith it must be tested. How are we responding to needed tests?
Let us pray: Dear Lord, Your tests are always designed to strengthen us and teach us. Thank You Father that with every test you give, you also provide the resources to endure!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton