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This week’s Devotional Topic
WHY TESTING
Tests are normal and expected in this life. I know a few teachers that from an educational stand point see value in testing to see what the students know. From a spiritual perspective, some of the reasons for “tests” are to find out What we know, How well do we know it and Do We really believe it.
As we think on these things, remember that “temptation” is very much different than “testing and trials”. Temptation will lead us away from God and toward Sin. Testing and trials are designed to draw us toward a closer relationship with our Savior. Watch for the tests…thank God for them anticipating the result to be a more mature Christian.
And testing is part of God’s plan for our lives. Consider the I Peter the first chapter: There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
And take joy in the reality that these are meant for our good. Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Boldly take each step into this day knowing that regardless of what tests may come…God is on your side!
This Week’s Scripture
Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 13:3; Judges 2:22; Malachi 3:3; I Corinthians 3:13; Isaiah 1:25; Jeremiah 9:7; Psalm 66:10,12; II Corinthians 13:5; James 1:2-4; Job 7:17,18; I Peter 1:3-7; Luke 22:25-28 and Romans 8:28-30
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