Did you know that God will test you? In Genesis 22:1, God tested Abraham. In Deuteronomy 8:1, the Israelites were in the wilderness for 40 years. The Bible tells us that those 40 years were "to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart". In John 6:5, Jesus asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" Verse 6 tells us that he asked this only to test Philip, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. God test us mainly to allow us to mature and grow. In the Old Testament, when the Israelites conquered Jericho, was it really that easy? The Israelites were very stubborn and God had to use 40 years in the wilderness to train the Israelite army. In those 40 years, the turn from a grumbling and rebellious army into an elite army that submits to the Lord. God often tests us so that our hearts may return to Him and our spiritual character can be built up so that His will may be accomplished in us.
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Have you ever been tested by God? I believe that each person will be tested by God. Some people will be like Philip who would never figure out that God was testing them. When you are being tested, God is actually asking: 1) Can you trust God, and 2) Can God trust you? Firstly, no matter what happens in your life, can you continue to trust God? In your ministry have you been hurt, met difficulties, or even felt lonely and discouraged? In these circumstances, do you continue to trust God? Secondly, the deeper question is, can God trust you? In your everyday life, can God trust you with what the tasks He has assigned you? Will you be able to say that you will faithfully do what God has called you to do for as long as you live?
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May God help us to see His tests so that we may submit to Him faithfully. May the hand of God shape us to be His vessels, worthy of His use to accomplish great things!
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