Do You Pass Your Test?

Do You Pass Your Test?

Joseph said to his brothers: “So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” Gen. 45:8.

Joseph was able to testify to what God had appointed him to do. He became a great man in Egypt, but he knew that it was God who had given him these various tasks.

How did God deal with Joseph before he was appointed to all this greatness? Who would have gone through such harsh trials: with envious brothers, being thrown into a pit, sold in Egypt, enslaved in Potiphar’s house and wrongfully imprisoned? Just think about it, in everything that happened, Joseph remained close to God who watched him closely and who saw his love and godly fear!

In this fear of God, Joseph learned to persevere in his trials. After this time of testing, God was able to appoint Joseph to the work God had intended for him, and he became a great blessing to many!

When Joseph was exalted in this way, it was also a test of whether he would remain true to God in his exaltation. History tells us that Joseph remained faithful to God and was able to keep his love and fear of God, so he was able to forgive his brothers and help them in their need. What a humble and faithful man Joseph was, in dishonor and tribulations, and in exaltation and power. He became a blessing for the entire nation.

Today there is also a need for servants who can be used in the church, those who serve God with a completely pure heart! And these also need to be tested: “Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money . . . But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.” 1 Tim. 3:8-10. God puts us to the test, to show whether we will serve Him and love Him when His hand is upon us, or whether we want to please people. There may be times of chastisement, times of tribulation, but God is watching closely. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation.” Jas. 1:12. Those who pass their test can be used by God in His work and become a blessing to many.

If you feel God’s hand upon you, draw near to God and God will draw near to you. Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and you will experience how God will exalt you. No matter what your feelings say, live in faith and allow the fire to work within you, so all that wants to seek its own is destroyed. Such a time of breaking down is necessary if you want God to be able to use you in His work, according to His own counsel.

And then—in the midst of all the work—a servant remains near to God. His love and sincere godly fear have the effect that he is poor in spirit, and God is able to speak to him. He longs for salvation. He gives glory to God, and God responds with grace for growth both in his personal life and in his ministry.

Paul earnestly exhorts us to be fervent in spirit and to serve the Lord alone. Rom. 12:11. May God give us grace for this so that we never become rich and satisfied or get a clouded eye, but rather continue to see clearly, humble ourselves and reach forward to salvation and sanctification.