"Some time later God tested Abraham."
test: the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.
We Americans test everything. We test a cake in the oven to see if it's done. We test-drive a car to see if we like the way it runs. We test the seams in a garment to see if they are strong and secure. We test gold and silver to see how pure it is. We test-taste food to see if we like it. And the list goes on and on. We want to be sure of the product we are getting, so we test it.
God tested Abraham, but I don't think He wanted to be sure of the product. And I don't think it was just to see how much Abraham loved God. I believe it goes a little bit deeper than that. God tested Abraham and He tests us for the same reason also, to deepen our capacity to be obedient and to develop our character. We experience difficulties to help us grow and mature spiritually.
God does not CAUSE the problems and difficulties we experience, but He ALLOWS them to happen and uses them for a positive influence in our lives. We may not think that is happening, but if we trust God as we claim, then we come out on the other side a better person in Christ.
Loss of a job; illness; relationship problems; financial disasters; emotional upheavals; and the like draw us closer to Jesus and build a stronger bond with Him when our trust is in Him. And when our trust is in Christ, our witness is positive. People around us notice how we handle adversity in our lives, they see our reactions, hear us when we either complain or praise God. How we handle our trails, tribulations, and tests are our witness to the world, and will either draw people to Christ, or repel them.
God uses the evil of hell to strengthen and refine us into His spiritual image. The more we persevere the stronger we become in Christ, the greater our witness becomes for our faith walk, and the more Christ is glorified. Our baptism of fire, our refining and purifying. We are ever moving onward and upward.
What does the world see and hear in your life when you experience a trial? Is God glorified?
"Almighty God, help me. I am so weak, I grumble and murmur about everything and I don't want to. My heart's desire is to grow strong in You, to be a witness for Your glory, to show others that You are in control of my life. Work in me, Jesus, strengthen me, use me, grow me in You. Amen."
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Job 2:8-10
Romans 5:3
Romans 12:2
Galatians 6:4
1 Thessalonians 2:4
James 1:2
1 Peter 1:6
2 Peter 2:9
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This is an excellent reminder to begin the day.
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