IT'S ONLY A TEST PT 2

In last month’s newsletter we examined the role of tests in our lives and the God given purpose they have in building our character, patience and ensuring we are mature and complete lacking nothing as James puts it. (see James 1:2-4).  You can read last month’s article here

We read about Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3. God used the bush to get Moses’ attention.  What was the state of the bush after it was used by God for His purpose?  It wasn’t consumed the Bible tells us. 

It’s the same for you and me.  It would be totally pointless to use us for His purpose if it was going to destroy us. The tests come, I believe, not only to prove we’re fit for purpose but also to ensure we’ll last.

We have a choice to make every time we’re faced with tests in our lives. If we see them as opportunities to grow, mature and develop both character and endurance, then I believe our approach to them can be a more productive experience – just tell yourself it’s only a test and ask the question, what does God want to teach me here? 

Let me remind you James tells us it is good for us to go through tests – there is a reward of the testing – we would be mature and complete lacking nothing.  (see James 1:4). So let’s look at 3 common tests that come our way.

1.         THE FAITHFULNESS TEST.

This test comes to see if we have what it takes to handle the bigger things in God’s plan for our lives.

We read the parable of the talents in Matt 25:14-28. Jesus says to the first two servants “you have been faithful in the little things (or with a few things) I will put you in charge of many things.”

Faithfulness in the little things brings greater authority and responsibility.

I started my manufacturing career while still studying engineering at university by doing process work in a run-down, rat-infested factory in Sydney.  It was boring, repetitive, mind numbing work however as I carried out the task diligently, (not always with patience), promotion came and I was moved on to bigger and more important tasks.

I recall a world-famous archery coach telling me his students did nothing in the first three months under his tutelage except pull back on the bow for hours at a time.  There were no arrows, no targets just repetitively pulling back on the bow.  Many gave up as they told him they came to “learn to shoot not just pull back on the bow.”  The ‘lack of faithfulness’ had them give up.

What are you doing with the things in your hands right now? Are you wasting any talents? Have you buried any?  How are you contributing to God’s work here?  The Bible tells us “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10

2.         THE WILDERNESS TEST

This test comes to us in the form of a spiritual drought or dry season to prove whether or not we can really press in to God even when we feel like He’s not there.

It’s interesting to note tests in the educational sense i.e. in a school, college or university are normally taken when the person should have the resources already – to prove they know the work.

Note the teacher is always silent in the test.  The student takes the test with the teacher totally silent.

Often the same applies in life – we can take the test in total silence.  Have you ever noticed sometimes when you’re “sitting the test” it seems heaven is silent?

Why is that? To prove we can pass the test.  But here’s another interesting FACT – we can always do the test as an OPEN BOOK TEST.  “Your Word have I hid in my heart – so I might not sin against you.” Ps 119:11.

His Word is always there with us and we can take the test ‘open book’. We can always draw on the resources in God’s Word to help us pass the test.

Proverbs 17:3 says “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”  

It’s our heart attitude in which God is interested.  “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (see Matt 12:34).  What’s in our hearts will be tested over and over again, but more importantly it’s the God factor in the heart that will sustain us when the other senses and even our spirits don’t feel He is near.  Similarly, if our hearts are full of strife, bitterness or unforgiveness, we will be crushed in the times when we don’t ‘feel’ God.  It’s the springs of living water welling up from within that sustain us in the dry times (see John 7:38).

Consider these two scriptures in Ps 119 relating to testing.

Ps 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

Ps 119:71 It was good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your decrees. (emphasis added)

Testing is for our own good and the wilderness, the “affliction” the Bible speaks of here can actually draw us closer to God and keep us from going astray if we let it.

3.         THE OFFENSE TEST.

This test comes to see how good we are at forgiveness and how easily we are offended.

There’s a huge difference between being offended (the temporary feeling of the offence) and the emotional, mental and spiritual state of BEING OFFENDED.

Heb 12:14-15 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

Rom 12:8 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Offence in the original language is ‘skandalon’ from which we get the English word scandal.  This Greek word ‘skandalon’ translated means to trap or snare.  We get trapped in offences all too easily.

God in His great mercy sent Jesus to take away the sin of the world.  We need to be prepared to show mercy to one another.  “Blessed are the merciful, they will be shown mercy.” Matt 5:7 

Let me leave you with some scriptures to meditate on in the coming days.

1 Thess 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands.”  Paul isn’t talking about being dull and boring but keeping our noses out of matters that don’t concern us.

Ps 119:165 “Great peace have they who love your law and nothing shall make them stumble” (or offend them).

We can’t always change what’s happened, been said or done (or not said and not done) but we can change how we respond and react when offences come.

Let’s remember the testing of our faith produces perseverance, and perseverance leads us to maturity and completeness if we allow it.

Remember it’s only a test.