Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the TESTING of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
As students in school, we remember having to endure many TESTS given to us by our teachers. Ugh! Do you recall the variety of TESTS you took in school? There was the multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blanks, and the most dreaded, essays! My favorite was True or False since I had a 50% chance of getting the correct answer.
Why the TEST?
A TEST is a necessary assessment tool used by the teacher to gauge the degree of understanding by the student. Without some type of assessment, how can a teacher know if the lessons are taking hold within the mind of the student? Often, when a student fails the TEST, or receives a low mark, it is necessary for them to go through the lesson again, and then to be RE-TESTED. Double Ughs!!
God will often allow TESTING episodes into our lives to embolden our trust and mature our faith in Him. God is loving and desires us to conform to His Son, Jesus Christ. The TEST that God allows will reveal how well we are learning the lessons He is teaching us through His Word.
Are you in a TEST right now? What is God revealing to you about Himself? About yourself?
Passing the TEST involves obedience to the Commands of God, and knowing that God loves us and has not abandoned us in the time of TESTING. Again, I believe God desires to see the extent in which we apply the lessons He teaches us through His Commands.
Passing the TEST involves the application of lessons learned through God’s Word.
Holy Father, We give you thanks for the grace you provide during times of TESTING. Help us to endure with a heart that honors You in the midst of the TEST, and to remember that You are a Good and a Loving God. Allow your perfect work to run its course within our lives so that we may be more like Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!