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"God's Examination"
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith ---more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire---may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6–7 ESV). I did not like tests in secondary school. I do recall appreciating those teachers who gave “hints” about what would be on the tests. Test days, of course, do not end when you leave school. The Bible confirms that our faith is subject to being tested at any moment throughout our lives. The good news is that we already know all the major questions the test is going to ask. |
Test Question #1: “Do you believe God is in control?” The answer, of course, is yes. In every circumstance of testing, you will be asked to affirm the fact God knows what He is doing. Whatever test you are currently taking may surprise you, but it comes as no surprise to Him. God is in control.
Test Question #2: “Do you believe God is good?” Believing He is in control is one thing. But when He is steering the boat and taking you over a waterfall, you may have doubts. Yet believing that He is God is believing He has told you the truth about Himself. And, yes, “the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).
Test Question #3: “Are you willing to wait by faith until you see it?” The questions get harder. This may be the hardest. Sometimes your tests will take you to places where you can see no way out. You may not even know what to pray for anymore. But instead of putting down your pencil and giving up, are you willing to wait on Him? To see how He answers. To see the solutions He has chosen?
So here are the three questions: “Do you believe God is in control?” “Do you believe God is good?” “Are you willing to wait by faith until you see it?” That is the whole test. And because He is in control, and because He is good, He can be trusted with your persevering faith until the test is completed--- until your faith is proven at last to be “more precious than gold.”
Because He Lives,
Pastor Dave
[email protected]
Test Question #2: “Do you believe God is good?” Believing He is in control is one thing. But when He is steering the boat and taking you over a waterfall, you may have doubts. Yet believing that He is God is believing He has told you the truth about Himself. And, yes, “the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).
Test Question #3: “Are you willing to wait by faith until you see it?” The questions get harder. This may be the hardest. Sometimes your tests will take you to places where you can see no way out. You may not even know what to pray for anymore. But instead of putting down your pencil and giving up, are you willing to wait on Him? To see how He answers. To see the solutions He has chosen?
So here are the three questions: “Do you believe God is in control?” “Do you believe God is good?” “Are you willing to wait by faith until you see it?” That is the whole test. And because He is in control, and because He is good, He can be trusted with your persevering faith until the test is completed--- until your faith is proven at last to be “more precious than gold.”
Because He Lives,
Pastor Dave
[email protected]
