WHY TEST? SEASONS OF TESTING.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
Have you ever heard on the TV or radio: This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been real we would have told you…
David Rock told me: A TEST IS A WAY TO PROVE YOU HAVE STUDIED.
I worked in a music store in a mall. A man brought in a 3 carat diamond ring. He wanted $500 for it. I got the keys to the store. He ask what I was doing? I told him ENIX jewelry store was two door down. I would see if it was real? He grabbed the ring and ran. I think that was a fake ring? What do you think?
TEST : observation reactions, check behavior, assess, , evaluation, proof, try, a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance or reliability of something, measure to check the quality, a series of questions or exercises to measure skill, knowledge of individuals or groups, to measure skills, a procedure used to identify, challenge, trial, examination, extreme conditions.
In the Bible a test can be a trial, temptation, or a situation that God permits to refine or reveal a persons obedience, character and faith. Seasons of testing can stretch faith, encourage learning and growth. A test can encourage the believer. Test can reveal a weakness or a strength. Tell me some test in the Bible. ADAM and EVE? JOB? ABRAHAM?
WHAT WILL WE LEAVE BEHIND? THE TEST OF OBEDIENCE: GOD SAID DESTROY ALL…
Judges 3:1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
Judges 3:4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
Will you marry their women? Will you accept their gods?
JOB UNDERSTOOD THAT TEST WILL PROVE SOMETHING!
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
THE TESTING PROCESS REVEALS GENUINENESS
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 1:7 (MSG) Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF TESTING:
TEST OF CHOICE?
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
1 Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
THE TEST OF A HARD, DIFFICULT JOB --- YOU GIVE BREAD?
John 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
THE TEST OF TEMPTATION/ATTITUDE
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
GIVING WHAT YOU LOVE CAN BE A HARD TEST.
Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
THE TEST OF SUFFERING AND BEING INNOCENT… JOSEPH IN PRISON.
Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
LET US LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIBLICAL TESTINGS.
1. GIVE THE LAST BREAD. 1 Kings 17:13
2. MARCH AROUND JERICHO THE STRONGEST CITY KNOWN, STRANGE BATTLE PLANS. Joshua 6:3
3. REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE ARMY EVEN WHEN THEY OUTNUMBER YOU. Judges 7:7… 30,000; 9,700; 300? With a trumpet. Pitcher and a light.
4. THIS PLAN IS STUPID: DIG DITCHES. 2 Kings 3:16.
5. THE BORROW AXE HEAD FLIES OFF IN THE FLOODED RIVER. Cut a stick?
6. NAAMAN 7 DIPS IN A DIRTY RIVER?
7. GAHAZI TEMPTED HE DESERVED A RAISE, GIVE ME THE OFFERING.
8. PETER WALKS ON WATER.
9. NOAH BUILDS AN ARK.
10. MANNA --- GET ONE OMER A DAY FOR 6 DAYS…
11. ABRAHAM LEAVE HOME? YOUR SON?
12. ADAM AND EVE: THAT TREE, THOSE APPLES?
13. MEAL AND OIL: BORROW NOT A FEW.
14. DON’T TRUST YOUR FEELINGS, TRUST GOD’S WORD.
15. PERSEVERE CROWN OF LIFE
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
16. EXPECT THE TEST/ THRIVE IN THE TEST. THE INWARD/HEART TEST.
Psalm 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
17. STORMS WILL TEST. RAIN, FLOOD, WIND.
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
CONCLUSION: THERE WILL BE A FINAL TEST. THE TEST OF FIRE.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
