Our Faith will be Tested

Once upon a time, there was a man in the Old Testament named Job. He was a righteous man in the sight of the Lord, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (Job 1:1)

 His life was perfect, had good sons and daughters, a wife, slaves and wealth until such a time his faith was tested.

If we read his story, we will know that Satan was given the chance to tempt him, to test his faith, and through sufferings Job was able to prove that indeed he is a true servant of God.

Job proved to be one of a kind, a true gold – tested under fire but stood as a genuine believer who will never forsake his belief and faith no matter what happens in his life. He knew that, whatever happens to him, his wealth will not save him, and he will take nothing if his life will end. “I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The LORD gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!” (Job 1: 21)

 And for all that happened to him, Job did not sin against the Lord God, because his faith is telling him that we will not only experience good things here on earth, we will also experience painful things – to test our faith. “We accept the good that God gives us. Shouldn’t we also accept the bad?” Through all this Job’s lips did not utter one sinful word. (Job 2: 10)

Each of us will be given tests

 As a servant of God, we know that we are here on earth to prepare for the things to come. This is not our permanent home; we live here temporarily and on what we understand life here on earth is a test.

If trials or tests come into our lives, the immediate response might not be good. Thanks to God, because He had enlightened us through His words that these things happen for a reason or a number of reasons. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you (1 Peter 4: 12)

Tests or examinations in schools are done to determine if the students learned something from their teachers. Teachers assess them to evaluate their performance according to certain guidelines, criteria and standards. After the assessment, the students will be given the feedback so that they will know if they are competent enough or there are areas in their studies needed to be improved.

This sort of arrangement in school is almost the same with what is happening to every one of us. We study the words of God through Bible Studies, assemblies, worship gatherings, Bible reading etc. Through these studies, we learned that God never gives us tests that we can not handle and more than what we can bear.

And as teachers test their students for competency, God gave tests to know the quality of our faith. Faith can be obtained through His words (Romans 10: 17), and that faith must be manifested through actions. It bears fruits in our lives. It changes us – from worst to a better person not only in the sight of the people around us, but as well as in the sight of the Lord God.

These trials and tests that God let us experience are important to prove that our faith indeed is true, genuine and worthy to receive the promise of God – salvation.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1: 7)

When we overcome trials and tests, unknowingly, we give honor and glory to God who called us. Trials and tests are preparatory of the things to come. We need to overcome those trials, and prove that our faith in God is worthy of His kingdom.

Who will overcome these things? It is up to us. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21: 7)