Lately I have felt like I am in a when-it-rains-it-pours kind of season in my life and in my family. It seems that my husband, my children and I have been bombarded with various kinds of trials that have been a real test of our faith. I have wondered what is going on to cause all of these frustrations. Is it an attack from the enemy? Is it a lack of faith or devotion that has weakened us? Is there something greater at work behind these troubles? Certainly all three of these are valid reasons why we go through difficult times in our lives.
I read this morning in Psalm 11:4-5,
“The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.”
Have you ever thought why does the Lord test the righteous? If He hates the wicked and loves the righteous, why would He test them? Do you feel like you are going through a test right now and wonder why?
Deuteronomy 8:2 says,
“…remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”
But God already knows all that is in our hearts and whether we will obey Him or not. So, again, why the tests? To humble us? Yes, but also for US to know what is in our heart…for US to know where we are weak and vulnerable…for US to know where we need to improve. He tests us for our benefit to bring out our best, but also to show us what He wants to work on in us. He tests us because He loves us and wants us to succeed and to grow in our faith.
So, look at your test today in a new way. See what God is trying to show you about yourself. Embrace His work in you so you can come forth like purified gold!