Why would the Lord test me when He is all-knowing? Although God is all-knowing, we are not, and tests of life reveal positive things and growth areas in our lives. God has unique plans for our life that He wants us to fulfill while on this earth. He prepares us along our journey with experiences and tests to accomplish that.
Paul tells us there is a connection between spiritual transformation and seeking the Lord’s will. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. [1] When I seek God’s will for my life, I successfully pass the test of being more interested in God’s plan than mine. Where has the Lord tested you as you reflect on your own life? How did the Lord use that for your benefit?
God Uses Tests to Refine Us
Trials in life reveal things about our lives and refine us. Abraham experienced many tests by God in his life, and there was no greater one than when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Genesis 22:1Sometime later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” [2]
In our story of Abraham, God tested his faith because the Lord wanted to unfold more extraordinary things in his life. This is also true in our lives. Like many of us, Abraham had some failures along the way. But this test would prove to Abraham that he had matured in the faith. Passing this test would allow Abraham to move forward in God’s plan for his life.
Trial or Temptation?
What is the difference between a trial and a temptation? Temptations are desires that come from inside our sinful nature. Our enemy, satan, uses these temptations to drag us down so we can’t fulfill what God wants to do in our life. Trials come from the Lord to help refine us and prepare us for God’s plans to unfold in our lives.
In addition, God uses tests to build us up while our enemy satan uses temptations to tear us down. While we face similar temptations to sin, God’s trials for each person are unique to what the Lord is trying to accomplish in our lives. Scripture gives us insight into the benefit of trials. James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. [3]
Why would the Lord test me? Learn more here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-grandfathers-influence
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.