February 6
“The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked.” Psalm 11:5 (NASB)
One of the most picturesque bridges in the world is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Completed in 1937, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world at the time. Civil engineers routinely test the various stress points of the structure to make sure it can hold the 39 million cars and trucks that cross it annually.
Testing is about discovery and God is certainly in the testing business. Of course, He doesn’t need to discover anything—He is all-knowing and all-wise. He tests us so that we will do the discovering, discovering where our passions are focused and where our faith really lies—so that we can repent, refocus, and be remade into the image of Jesus.
It’s tempting for believers to assume that because we have been made in right standing with God (righteous) through faith in Christ, that we get to avoid the tests and trials of life. In fact, there is a whole multibillion-dollar industry of false teachers who have gained incredible wealth making promises of health and prosperity to folks who are desperate enough to believe it—and pay for it.
However, a fair examination of Scripture reveals a legacy of testing and trial experienced by saints too long to recount here (e.g., Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, the Disciples, Paul, Stephen). And then there is Jesus, who was tortured and tested severely, even to death.
God tests us. One of the purposes is to reveal where our passions and faith rest. If someone’s passion is focused on earthly pursuits, when that pursuit is threatened or removed, then fear, emptiness, and panic ensue. If faith is focused on finances, the significant loss of money will crush the person; if focused on health, the same occurs with the diagnosis of a serious or life-threatening illness.
When Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer, our faith and passions were tested severely. Fortunately, we had been preparing for the test most of our adult lives: daily time with Jesus and His word, memorizing Scripture, building strong community, and effective prayer lives. The test has been difficult, and we are discovering flaws in our faith. Those flaws become obvious when fear and anxiety creep in. But the discovery has prompted us to reinforce what we know is true and double-down on the attitudes and actions that strengthen faith.
God didn’t cause her cancer, but in His sovereign love, He is revealing to us where our faith is weak and by His Spirit enabling us to grow in our faith. Growth rarely comes easily.
God, open my eyes to see where my passions are misdirected and my faith is underdeveloped. By your grace, enable me to respond to the tests by faith.
Tweetworthy: God tests us. One of the purposes is to reveal where our passions and faith rest.
Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming. I hang on to HIS truths, HE is with me, and HE is powerful!
Timely, as usual.
“double down,” I hear you~God is so powerful. No words can describe.