Tests

We all enjoy tests don’t we?  Well, most of us don’t really enjoy tests but we at least acknowledge the benefit of tests.  Tests reveal the knowledge that we have…both to our teachers and to us ourselves.  God tests His people.  He doesn’t test us to reveal our knowledge to Him.  He already knows that.  But he does test us to reveal something about ourselves to each of us.  Let’s read Proverbs 17:2-3: 

A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.  3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests the hearts.

A refining furnace was used to drive out the impurities found in silver and gold and other precious metals.  The intent was not to destroy the precious metal, but to purify it and to increase its value.  We are also told that the “Lord tests the hearts”.  What does this mean?  Well, we know that God doesn’t tempt us to sin.  Only Satan does that.  But God does test us.  God does place circumstances and situations in our lives so that we can see how “pure” we are in relationship to Him.  God tests us so that we can learn important lessons about ourselves.

Don’t cringe from the tests that God offers.  They are always meant for your benefit.

In wisdom,
Eric