Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham! ‘And he said, “Here I am.”” Genesis 22:1

The very thought of being tested sends fear through my mind. I hated to take tests in school; they always made me nervous. Questions raced through my mind, “Did I know the subject material well enough? Can I pass the test? What if I make a bad grade?” Usually, I knew the material well enough to pass the test. Occasionally I totally blew it. Regardless of the outcome, I had to face the test. The times I did well were usually the result of time invested in studying until I knew the subject material. Failures to do well were normally because I had not properly prepared myself for the test.

As much as I dislike tests, I realize they are important. Knowing the test day is coming forces me to focus on the material until I am prepared. When I pass the test, there is a certain feeling of accomplishment, a sense of inner pride. More importantly the test grade represents a symbol of my knowledge and the passing grade lets others know I have mastered the material.

I build confidence from the fact that the surgeon who is getting ready to operate on me passed their Board exams. I relax a little at 10,000 feet knowing the pilot passed the aviation test and is certified to fly the plane. I feel comfortable traversing the Mississippi River knowing the engineer who designed the bridge passed the civil engineering test.

Abraham had been preparing for this day of testing. When God asked him to move to a distant land, he packed his bags. When Abraham could have had his choice of parcels of land, he allowed Lot to take the best piece. When his nephew was captured, Abraham pulled together his troops to go into hot pursuit to rescue Lot. When God asked him to give up his only son, Abraham was ready. Yes, Abraham failed a few tests in the process, yet God kept working with him to get him ready. Generations later Abraham’s test results were recorded in Hebrews 11. “Therefore, from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12)

James captures well the purpose of spiritual testing as he writes, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-3)

Noah’s test came when God asked him to build an ark, even though it had never rained!

Moses’ test came when God asked him to pick up the staff and lead his people out of slavery!

Hannah’s test came when she left Samuel in the care of God at the temple!

Ruth’s test came when she declared, “your people shall be my people, and your God my God!”

David’s test came when God asked Samuel to anoint him as king, even as he tended sheep in the pasture!

What about you? How are you doing in preparing for your tests?  “Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? –unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

How will you know if you passed the test? Maybe you will get to know but just as likely you will not know. “Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised” (Hebrews 11:39)

Don’t worry about the results, simply focus on God. Let God grow you through the test to become the person God intends you to be for His work. Job moves from questioning God, defending himself to his friends and family to the affirmation that being with God is more important than understanding the reason.

“Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

God is great,

Pastor Lynn