When you look back in your life can you see where the Lord tested your faith to prepare you for future work in the Kingdom? It can be difficult to understand God when my faith is tested. A repeated theme in Scripture is how God prepares us for the next part of our spiritual journey by testing.
Abraham was tested when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. When God knew Abraham would follow through with His request to sacrifice his Son, God stopped him and provided a ram to sacrifice. After this test God used Abraham in amazing ways that would not have been possible before.
When Peter was called to be a disciple it was a test of Peter’s faith. Luke 5:10Jesus replied to Peter, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. [1] If Peter had refused to take the next step in following Jesus, he would have missed out on what God wanted to unfold in his life.
Peter’s Faith is Tested in Prison
Acts 12:1About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.)[2]
When Peter was in prison, he knew that his fellow disciple, James, had already been put to death. Peter was in a place where he had to rely on God. Whether the Lord freed him, or he died like James, he was in the Lord’s hands. One of God’s goals for us during a time of testing is to grow in our dependence on Him.
Testing Changes Us
Being tested is like gold being refined in the fire. As people we have many rough edges, but God’s testing smooths out our rough edges. God cares about us so much He doesn’t want to leave us like we once were. The Lord always desires more for us in our life and that requires testing and refinement.
Today, are you going through difficult tests and trials? Do you feel stretched? Remember that God is with you. Some trials in life seem too difficult to walk through, but remember the Lord is always with you and will sustain you during the storms of life.
2 Corinthians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.[3]
When my faith is tested can be a hard time. To find out more:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-release-for-peter
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.