Tested

Tested

“The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals, fire and brimstone and a burning wind; this shall be the portion of their cup.” Ps. 11:4-6.

Everything must be tested, and our tested faith is to be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:7), and after we have stood the test, we shall receive the crown of life. A servant in the church shall be tested first to see if he holds the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Tim. 3:9-10. God tests our hearts before He considers us worthy of being entrusted with the gospel. 1 Thess. 2:4. God tested Israel before He led them into the land. He wanted to know what was in their hearts, whether they would keep His commandments or not. Deut. 8:2. From among all those who left Egypt and were over twenty years old, no more than two were considered worthy of entering the land.

The fact that they all wanted to leave the house of bondage and enter the land that flowed with milk and honey was not sufficient evidence that they were upright. And the fact that people want to have their sins forgiven and go to heaven when they die is also not sufficient evidence that they are upright. However, if they are willing to be taught by grace to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, then they are worthy of partaking of that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Tit. 2:11-13.

Often you can hear it being said that those who have to endure great tribulations and adversities have to go through hard trials or have great trials. Generally speaking, only tribulations and adversities are considered to be trials; but they are not necessarily trials. Often they can be the method of healing—the medicine—after the person has been tested and the diagnosis has been made—as we read in Judges 2 and 3; 10:11-16; 2 Samuel 22:26-28.

Paul was tested in having much and in suffering lack. Phil. 4:12-13. As we can see having much is also a test. We can well say about someone who is very rich and in good health: He has to endure great trials.

There is a certain intent behind every trial, and in this instance it is whether we want to keep God’s commandments, whether we love God above everything and everyone. Then it becomes evident that most people today do not react any differently than the Israelites did. If they are well off materially, they become lukewarm in their prayer life, and many of them fall away from God. The good days tested their hearts, and it showed that they needed tribulations to be preserved in faith. Balaam went astray when he was offered a larger seer’s reward by Balak. When God blesses certain individuals in the church, Cain is revealed, and Saul who was lowly in his own eyes could not bear being king over Israel. You are humble and content as long as you don’t have the means to follow the world’s fashions and vanity; but as soon as you have an abundance, you say, “I can afford it.”

God’s eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chron. 16:9. You can believe that God follows you carefully, and you may consider everything that comes your way as a test. The important thing is that you love God and keep His commandments. Job 7:17-20.

“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.” Ps. 81:13-14; Deut. 13:1-4.