“Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” (Matthew 4:11 NLT)
Tests are gifts of God to strengthen our faith and to prepare us for our next assignment. We sometimes wrongly assume a test is a punishment or reprimand for something we’ve done wrong, but that’s not what the Bible teaches. Jesus walked perfectly, flawlessly for 30 years before being tested in the wilderness by Satan. It wasn’t punishment, it was preparation. The very next verses in Matthew describe the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Rick Warren wrote: “God is going to test you before he blesses you. And in that test, you’re going to learn a lot about yourself. If you give up praying, you’re never going to learn the lessons that help you become more like Jesus. Keep praying with persistence each day. And remember that after the testing, the blessing will come.”(See Daily Hope Testing Comes Before Blessing – 02-03-23)
Tests and temptations, while similar, are not the same. Temptation is of Satanic origin and is always something that, if given into, will result in sin. Tests, on the other hand, originate with God and are basically anything that can cause you to doubt God or turn you from the path He’s planned for you. But when overcome will lead to greater fruitfulness and usefulness in God’s Kingdom. Things like unanswered prayer, a difficult habit that seems impossible to break (habitual sin), unfaithfulness (something that tests your faithfulness to your spouse, your job, the people in your family or spheres of influence who look to you as a positive example of Christlikeness).
Perhaps the Lord gives you a clear instruction to do something that’s frightening or challenging, but instead of immediately proceeding on the path of obedience, you begin to question God or yourself. Tests and temptations come throughout our life as a Jesus follower and are not, in and of themselves sin. They may lead to sin, but like with Jesus, they certainly don’t have to.
God’s plan is that tests lead to deepening faith and stronger commitment, which leads to greater levels of fruitfulness and usefulness to the Lord. But please don’t miss the point. The true “blessing” isn’t overcoming the temptation or gaining the victory, it’s putting a smile on your Father’s face. It’s the joy it brings to your heavenly Father as He affirms you and expresses to you His pleasure.
Rewards come and go and may or may not be remembered. What will build your faith and sustain your spirit is the confidence you gain, not in yourself, but in the powerful Spirit who resides in you. Recognizing you are not your own, you were bought with the high price of the blood of your Savior, will enable you to find strength in the knowledge you are never alone to face ANYTHING!
Tests sometimes seem to come “out of nowhere,” but they haven’t. They’re like the sun, rising right on God’s schedule. God’s perfect time doesn’t always coincide with our schedule, but if we’ll learn to go with His “flow,” we’ll face tests and temptations in stride, realizing they aren’t there to make us bitter, but to make us better.
There’s a very real sense in which we are the cumulative result of our tests. Some we’ve failed, but others, by God’s grace, we’ve passed with flying colors. On some levels our tests define us. How we handle them will largely define the kind of person we are and are to become. Trials that lead to trust strengthen and stabilize us, enabling us to hear God’s voice more clearly and follow Him more nearly.
Regardless of what’s happening in your life right now, hold on to Jesus with unwavering faith and the blessings He will bring to you will humble, encourage, and enlighten your soul. He is always good.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 