THE TEST: MAKES NO SENSE TO ME? …
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
LORD, I BELIEVE… I HUMBLY COME BEFORE YOUR THRONE, BUT I ALSO COME BOLDLY BEFORE YOU TO THE HOLY PLACE. LIFE MAKES NO SENSE TO ME? THIS TEST I AM FACING MAKES NO SENSE TO ME?
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
THE FIRST DAY YOU PRAYED YOU TOUCHED THE HEART OF A MIGHTY GOD. DANIEL WAS A GREAT MAN OF PRAYER. DANIEL FAITHFULLY PRAYED 3 TIMES A DAY AND TRUSTED HIS GOD. THERE WAS A TEST QUESTION THAT DANIEL HAD TO LEARN… WE KNOW DANIEL AS A MAN THAT PASSED THE TEST. BUT WHEN DANIEL WAS WALKING IN THE SEASON OF TESTING, HIS TEST DID NOT ALWAYS MAKE SENSE TO HIM?
Daniel trusted GOD IN ALL HIS LIFE. GOD CAN HELP DURING THE TEST SEASONS. Daniel had to learn to trust God even when it did not make sense to him. Daniel asked the King’s servant, we do not want the wine and diet system of the King’s table. 4 young men asked to be exempt. This test never made sense to the Kings standards? Their request would have to pass the test. 10 days? The test would be a 10 day trial period.
Daniel 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
Today seems many teach we are exempt from the test. What do we do when the going gets tough? WE WILL FACE MANY TOUGH TIMES. Often it is said when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. This is not the modern day norm. The modern day norm might be LET US QUIT.
We are like water: WE TAKE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE. Que sera? Sera? We make little plans? Little preparations? Exert little effort? We tend to produce little fruit? With little accountability? We make offerings of EXCUSES? We refuse to be corrected? How can we be corrected if we are never wrong? And thus lose sight of the goals before us? Why doesn’t God explain himself to me?
Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
THE TEST, HE PASSED THE TEST! THERE IS ANOTHER TEST: HOW MANY PEOPLE FORGET THOSE PEOPLE THAT HELPED THEM TO ACHIEVE? DANIEL STOOD BY HIS FRIENDS! THEY STOOD TOGTHER! DANIEL REMEMBERED!
Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
WE WANT TROPHIES WITHOUT A CHALLENGE? HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TEAM LOSE EVERY GAME AND THE PLAYERS THAT NEVER CAME TO PRACTICE WIN A BIG TROPHY? NO TESTING CHEAPENS THE MEANING OF THE GAME! YOU MUST REALIZE GOD’S BEST WORK MAKES NO SENSE TO THE FEELINGS AND THE EYES.
There will be more than one test! Seems like each test gets harder and harder. Daniel and his three friends understood… the PROMOTION COMES AFTER YOU PASS THE TEST? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
DO WE RECOGNIZE THE PROGRESSIVE NATURE OF BEING TESTED? THE TEST, HOW HOT IS THE FIRE? 7 TIMES HOTTER THAN EVER? THERE IS A TEST QUESTION, YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL THROWING PEOPLE INTO THE FIRE?
Seems there are some that love the CIRCUS and love to throw others in the fire? Could this be a test? Be careful about throwing others into the fire.
Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
YOU MUST PASS THE TEST THEN: PROMOTION COMES AFTER THE TEST?
Daniel 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
DANIEL FACED A VERY DIFFICULT TESTING SEASON. HE NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE PLAN AT THE TIME. DANIEL PRAYS… HE FEELS NOTHING. DANIEL SEES NOTHING? DANIEL HEARS NOTHING? NO ONE EXPLAINS TO DANIEL WHAT IS GOING ON HERE… DELAY IS PART OF THE TESTING PROCESS.
God heard Daniel’s prayer the very first day! No answer day one? Day two? Day three? Has God forgetten me?
***GOD HAS 4 F’S FOR YOU AFTER YOU PRAY AND WAIT FOR THE SEASON OF TESTING?
TEST: *** 1. FEAR NOT! 2. FRET NOT! 3. FAINT NOT! 4. FORGET NOT!
After 21 days, THE STUPID PEACE roots bore fruit.
Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
THIS SEASON OF TESTING YOU ARE GOING THROUGH MAY NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL TO YOU RIGHT NOW, MAYBE NEVER. GOD DOES HIS BEST WORK WHEN IT MAKES NO SENSE TO YOU.
God does not need to explain His actions to you. God does not need to seek your permission for His system of testing. God knows! God knows what he is doing. The master need not explain to his servant why he is doing what he is doing.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
GOD HAS A PEACE BEYOND YOUR UNDERSTANDING! People will look at you and say are you crazy? Are you ignoring this situation? PEACE? HOW CAN YOU HAVE PEACE AT A TIME LIKE THIS?
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
CONCLUSION: CAN ONE ACHIEVE PERFECT PEACE? NO! KNOW!
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
CAN YOU KNOW PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING? STUPID? FAITH MUST REACH BEYOND YOUR FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS? IF YOU HAVE THE PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING NOTHING WILL OFFEND YOU? Do you have that kind of peace and faith that few achieve?
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
There is a free gift of peace. You don’t have to earn it. WHY IS YOUR HEART SO TROUBLED? You can have a peace that passes all understanding, I CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT BUT I WILL ACCEPT IT.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Will you teach others: THERE IS FAITH AND PEACE THAT REACHES BEYOND THE BRAIN? ACCEPT IT?
