Seven Examples of Testing
Do you recall the story of Job - how he went through many trials and tests? He was a wealthy man with many possessions - yet in a very short time he lost most of what he had. He lost his possessions, his health was gone, and his children died. Calamity after calamity fell on him. Life was miserable for him. His wife gave him the advise - "Curse God and die." Yet Job stuck it out. Our text this morning comes from the book of Job. Please follow along with me as I read:
If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him. Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. Job 23:8-10 (HCSB)
One of the metaphors that the Bible says about life is that it is a test. God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Character is both developed and revealed by testing. And the truth of the matter is – All of Life is a Test. You are always being tested. God is constantly watching how you respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment and even the weather. What I would like to do this morning is look at several ways God’s people have been tested. For you see trials can be:
1. A Test of Patience
Trials and tribulation can be a test of patience. The Lord has a timing for fulfilling His plans and purposes. Often His plans take much longer than we expect. In the meantime we go through severe trials and tribulations and they seem to last forever. These seasons are tests of our patience. Are we willing to wait for God’s timing? Listen to what the scripture says in James chapter 1.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
To tell you the truth - I do not really enjoy this verse. I don't it when James tells me to "count it all joy" when I am going through all kinds of trials and tribulations. In fact when I am experiencing hardships I consider it to be horrible.
But the Bible tells me that hardships and trials have a purpose - they produce patience. I sure could use more patience - but I don't really like the process of obtaining it. But I also know that God author and finisher of my life and He knows what is best for me. If He considers that I need more patience - so be it. I know that many of our lives are a test of patience because I know that many of you have gone through some very rough times. Praise God that He has been right by your side as you have walked this rough road.
You see - Job’s life was a test of patience. In fact the Bible says in book of James, “Remember the patience of Job". One of the major facts I like about Job is that he never, never turned his back on God. He questioned God, he complained to God, but he never turned his back on God. That is why we are encouraged when we are told, “Remember the patience of Job". For him life was a test of patience and for many of us - we are being tested in this way too.
Life is also:
2. A Test of Faith
Trials can be a test of our faith. Do we believe in God even in the midst of pain and suffering? Do we believe in the promises of God even when everything looks impossible? Do we trust in God even if He does not deliver us? Do we trust in God even when we do not understand His ways and working in our lives? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were tested and showed their faith.
If you recall the story - King Nebuchadnezzar had made an image out of gold and he commanded that everyone in the land was to worship the image. Yet three Jewish refused men to worship the image. They were called before the king and he asked them if it was true that they refused to worship the image. He warned them that if they did not worship the image that they would be thrown into a fiery furnace:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 (HCSB)
Their answer was simply this:
“It’s not that we can’t do it. – It’s that we won’t do it.”
Nebuchadnezzar became furious. He had the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were bound hand and foot and thrown into the furnace. And do you know what happened? Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and there he saw four men walking around unharmed. Nebuchadnezzar said, "The fourth man looks like the son of God." He called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the furnace and when they did not a hair on their head was singed - their clothes were not burnt - even the smell of smoke was not on them. Their faith was tested and they proved to be faithful.
Folks here is a thought:
How do you know if you are faithful unless you are tempted with unfaithfulness?
But that is not all - there may be:
3. A Test of Love
Trials can test our love. They can reveal whom or what we love most in our lives. They reveal our priorities and desires. The Lord wants us to love Him more than anybody else or anything else. The depth of our love to God is revealed during the seasons of trials. Peter is an example of this test. Follow along with me as I read:
When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. John 21:15-17 (HCSB)
What is it that motivates your life? Do you do things out of obligation or do you do things out of your love for Jesus? Peter was taught a great lesson that day. He was to serve others - not because others deserved it - but because he loved Jesus. Did you know - that sheep smell like sheep? Did you know - that sheep act like sheep? Did you know - that sheep don't always do what you expect or want them to do? Jesus didn't tell Peter to love the sheep because they are lovable - even though they may be. Jesus told Peter to take care of sheep - because of the love Peter had for Jesus. Are you motivated by the love you have for Jesus?
Another test is:
4. A Test of Endurance
Trials can be a test of our endurance. How much are we willing to endure for the Lord? Will we give up easily from following the Lord? Will we endure till the end? The life of Paul is an example of endurance.
Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods ⌊by the Romans⌋. Once I was stoned ⌊by my enemies⌋. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, ⌊I faced⌋ dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 (HCSB)
Paul endured many hardships but he did not give up - he stuck with the Lord. Do you recall Jesus said:
"No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 (NKJV)
Paul said it this way:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV)
The road may be long, the road may be steep, the road may be rough - but don't give up till you cross the finish line.
Also there is:
5. A Test of Humility
Trials can be a test of humility. The Lord humbles us by allowing us to go through seasons of trials. The Lord wants us to have the mind of Christ who humbled Himself to take the form of a servant and became obedient even to the death of the cross. Mosses went through times of trial and his humility shone forth. In the Bible we find:
Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard ⌊it⌋. Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:1-3 (HCSB)
Moses was criticized - even by his own family members. Yet the Bible tells us that Moses was a "very humble man". It's interesting to me that criticism and humility are mentioned together. When you are criticized - how do you respond? Do you respond with anger or with humility? Here is a thought:
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.
When you are criticized do you ever say, "You know - they could be right." Criticism needs to bring with it a time of reflection. It is a test of our character.
Another test is:
6. A Test of Sacrifice
Trials can be a test of our sacrifice. Are we willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord? Are we clinging to the possessions and treasures of this world? Are we crucified to the world? When we lay ourselves on the altar and die to our self then we can bear much fruit for the Lord. The Lord leads us to the point of total surrender by leading us through the path of trials. He tests the level of our willingness to sacrifice for Him. He tested Abraham in this way:
Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. Genesis 22:7-8 (HCSB)
Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son. Abraham went to the mountain and was there willing to offer up Isaac. But that day, as Abraham was about to kill Isaac, God intervened and provided another sacrifice. I believe this is the greatest picture of the Christian life. For you see the Christian life is about putting God in charge.
Let me tell you a little of my story. In 1998 I was serving in the Army as a chaplain. I was a captain and that year I was passed over for promotion to major. The next year 1999 I was passed over again. If you are familiar with the military - a two time pass over usually means an end to your military career. I remember sitting at Fort Polk, Louisiana and God led me to a passage of scripture which said:
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Psalms 20:7 (NKJV)
At that point I felt that God was asking me, "Tom, what are you trusting in? Are you trusting in your own ability to make promotion or are you trusting in Me to lead your life?"
That is a good question isn't it? Who are you trusting in? Are you allowing God to be in charge or are you trying to direct your own life? Are you willing to put God in charge?
To finish my story - I had turned in an appeal and won the appeal. I decided to leave active duty and become a reserve chaplain. I was promoted three more times and retired from the army in 2013 with over 29 years of service. But I learned a great lesson - the Christian life is a life of letting God be God. It is a life of sacrifice.
The seventh test is a:
7. A Test of Obedience
Trials can be a test of our obedience to God. Are we willing to obey God even when He commands us to do what we do not like or what we wish to avoid? The Lord teaches us obedience by leading us through trails. Jesus is the prime example of obedience.
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39 (HCSB)
You all know where this verse comes from - within a few short minutes after Jesus uttered these words he would be arrested. Within a matter of hours he would be crucified. "Father, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” This is a cry that the Father's will would be accomplished - no matter what it takes. There are times in life where the road is not smooth but rocky. It can lead through the valley of death - and for Jesus it did. But He was obedient. Philippians tells us:
He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 (HCSB)
I am thankful that Jesus passed the test - aren't you? His obedience now gives me hope. He took my sins to the cross. He died in my place and because of His death - I can have life.
