The blessing of passing God’s test are different for everyone. These blessings depend on how God works out His plan. Just as the Lord’s plans are unique, so are His tests. God gave Abraham a challenging test when He asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. God had previously tested Abraham. At times Abraham failed; other times, he passed the test before him.
In God’s mercy, when we fail a test, He helps us learn and grow from that experience to continue to move forward in life. I know I have failed before and have experienced God’s hand of mercy, and you may have had a similar experience.
Passing God’s Tests Affects Us and Others
As we pass the test God has for us, it positively affects us and those around us because God’s plans always build His Kingdom. Soon after Abraham passed this test, the Lord spoke to him again.
Genesis 22:15 Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven. 16 “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 18 And through your descendants, all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” [1]
In our story, we first notice the necessity of obedience to pass God’s test. Abraham would be blessed as Jesus our Savior would come through the line of Abraham. It would be through Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, that the world would be blessed.
God Wants to Bless You
As followers of Jesus, we want to be blessed by the Lord, so we should expect Him to test us. God uses our stewardship of resources and relationships to test us. How will we treat those around us? What do we do with the resources God gives us? Each test we pass helps us grow in faith and impacts others for the Kingdom of God. When we help others for the Kingdom of God, this is a real treasure that no one can ever take away.
Matthew 6:19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. [2] Putting life in perspective gives new meaning to desiring to follow wherever the Lord leads you. As we do, we can expect the Lord to bless us.
To hear about the blessings of passing God’s test, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-grandfathers-influence
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 22:15–18). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 6:19–21). Tyndale House Publishers.