TOPIC: WHY TEST?
TEXT: Deut. 8:2, 16; Job 23:8-10, Jam.1:12(NIV)
INTRODUCTION
One of the hardest lessons God’s people must learn is to accept God’s will and obey Him without protest or complaint. If the Jews had taken time to look back and recall their journey from Egypt to Canaan, they would have seen that each stage in the journey taught them more about themselves and about the Lord. They would see themselves as living in the past and afraid of the future, doubting God’s love and His ability to see them through. Their frequent complaining revealed their lack of love for the Lord, and their rebellion showed their lack of submission to His will. In order for God to get them to see these in themselves, He had to take them through some tests.
No one likes Tests, First of all it’s because Tests means acceptance or rejection, Pass or fail, promotion, or stagnation. At stake is nothing less than our future, even our self worth.
One of the biggest questions that I have heard is this… Why does God Test? Some reasons can be advanced which we shall consider shortly.
God always pursues our highest good and our greatest blessing. God loves us enough to allow beneficial pain. God knows that tests hurt, but in love he allows them for our good, at His own personal cost!
Isa 63:9
In all their distress He too was distressed …
How were they Tested?
He did the following:
Humbled them: heb- INAAH –i.e.
Deal with their pride as they relate to people and each other as well as their attitude to HIM (God).
Bring them by reason of their experiences to see the need for HIS help and also the need for them to depend on HIM.
Prove them: heb- NICAAH-i.e.
Show them what was in their hearts i.e. their pretenses and who they really are.
All these were aimed at reminding them of His word, its sustaining power and God’s goodness to His people.
Benefits of Test
A Test Prepares Us for Future Achievement–1 Sam 17:34-37
By passing tests we learn that God indeed answers prayer,
That His promises stand truly reliable, that he is absolutely faithful.
Until we place everything on the line and see God come through, it’s only theory. But proven faith increases, preparing us for future service on a larger scale.
In school, you have to pass the tests that are given before moving to the next level.
It took the lion and the bear to prepare David for Goliath.
2. A Test Proves Us Worthy Of a Crown
Worth must be proven. A Test signifies that God intends to crown us. James 1:12
3. Testing Refines Us of Impurities
Testing does more than examine; it purifies. The more valuable the article, the less we tolerate impurities. – Isa 48:10(NIV)
It is sent to:
Build courage in us – Matt. 14:24,27
To show us our weakness so that we can work on improving them. Matt.14:28
Comes to show us another side of God 1Cor10:13
To push us to pray Exo.2:23-25; Jam.5:14-18
To toughen us Rom.8:28-29
To humble us – Deut.8:1-3, 16
If we are not ready we will not be able to withstand the adversary. Tests will make us ready. 1 Peter 5:6-8
To cleanse us Gen. 50:20; Lu.15:11-23
To show us men i.e. who our true friends are.Prov.19:4,6-7
It is not for:
Tests or trials are not for pain, but progress,
Not punishment but purity.
God test us because in love he seeks our true prosperity.
Twelve Tests Every Christian Must Face.
1 – The Wilderness Test
2 – The Time Test
3 – The Motivation Test
4 – The Failure Test
5 – The Self-will Test
6 – The Discouragement Test
7 – The Misunderstanding Test
8 – The Frustration Test
9 – The Servant Test
10 -The Character Test
11 -The Word Test
12 -The Promotion Test
CONCLUSION
Which are you faced with now?
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