This Is A Test

After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!” “Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.” Genesis 22:1 (MSG)

One of the paradoxes of life is that testing times are transforming times.  We don’t like them, we may even dread them, and we wish they would go away.  Yet without testing there is no transforming.

I grew up in the Northwest surrounded by mountains. Many times I would sit by the streams and creeks that run down from the mountains. Those sights and sounds are etched in my mind. They are both stunning and inspiring. But take away those rough hewn rocks through which the streams must ripple, rush, and collide and the creeks lose the very character that reveals their beauty.

Testing times are transforming times.  And if we fail them we will remain trapped in the cocoon of mediocrity.

Since we will be tested in life – it is critical that our faith be placed in the proper object.  Perhaps the reason we see such mediocre faith in America today is because of the understanding of God we have.  Sadly today, some people want a God only on their terms.  We want to worship a God who we made rather than serving the God who made us.

The God who made us is more concerned with our responses to difficult circumstances than the circumstances themselves.  He is more concerned with the type of people we become than the possessions we have. 

Real faith is strengthened by test; superficial faith is destroyed by them.  If you want a strong faith, you need to understand that tests and trials are the food of faith.  Many feel that God’s job is to provide power, peace and provision in our lives.  And He has promised all three. But He also promised testing.  If our hearing has been attuned to the Biblical God, it will be in the testing we find God’s provision is sufficient.