It is often easier to speak of faith when things are going good, but it’s when things begin to go down- hill, or when obedience becomes uncomfortable or difficult, that our faith is tested. Some Christians do well in sunny days, but when the rains descend and the floods come to beat upon that house, some fall and stumble.
And thus, the question for each of us personally is whether we will continue to obey God when the going gets rough. It is not always easy to obey God, for there are times in our Christian experience when logic may pull us in a different direction, other than what God has said. At other times the magnetic pull of family and friends may cause some to negotiate God’s word, and thus put them at odds with Him.
It is for this very reason that God told Abraham to leave the associations of native country to go into a strange land, because the situation in a foreign land would be more favorable to spiritual development, and growth than in the place where customs, and culture would have exerted a negative influence.
It is the same reason why He took the Hebrews out of Egypt, because the dire influences of idolatry had imperceptibly infiltrated their thoughts, and, being constantly surrounded by evils and temptations, the environment in which they lived would inevitably take a toll on their faith. Let’s read:
Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn.
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
Exodus 8:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exodus 8:20 And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus, saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Genesis 12:1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
It is not God’s will that our faith should be tested unnecessarily, and constantly by the environment we live in, for undue tests can do more harm than good. There are times in our experience when God would permit tests to come our way, but wherever possible, the best environment for spiritual growth should be sought out, because tests are intended to refine, not to destroy. Let’s read:
Malachi 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Again, in His providence, God has led some of us to leave our native country, because if we were to stay where we grew up, the fire water, and the pudding, and the festivities of the place might be too strong for some to resist, and thereby our faith would be tested unnecessarily. In all of our studies, we should seek to learn the ways of God, for they will help us to better understand Him, and cooperate with Him.
However, wherever we may find ourselves, we can be assured that our faith will be subjected to tests sooner or later, and we should understand that this occurs primarily in difficult situations. It has to be demonstrated whether or not we will continue to obey God in the most trying circumstances, for it is then and only then that faith can be certified.
Whenever General Motors, or Ford are looking to release a new Camaro or Mustang, they do run the engines in stressful conditions, and then the car is taken to various test sites, where it is put through the wringer, and subjected to crashes at different speeds to see if the quality of the product would withstand the necessary rigors, before it’s certified.
If the vehicle fails to perform as it should, and if the testing reveals certain flaws, then it is returned to the manufacturer’s facility for correction, and then it is retested again, so that finally, when the stamp of approval is placed on the hood, the certification process would have proven successful.
Similarly, each one of us would be put through the wringer on various levels and at various test sites to see if we would be certified because faith that is not tested cannot be trusted. It was only after Abraham had survived the most rigorous test, at one of these sites that God certified His faith.
Prior to the test with his son Isaac, Abraham was taken to the site where marriages are tested. In that instance, Abraham failed, because he made some illegal adjustments at the request of his wife. It is one thing to commit adultery, but it’s another thing when the offer to do so comes from one’s spouse. Let’s read:
Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
Furthermore, the laws of the land back then had made provision for certain adjustments to God’s law, in cases where one’s wife was barren. What was Abraham to do in this instance? He had the promise of God at his back, he had the letter from the doctor confirming that Sarah was infertile, and now he has an offer on the table from his own wife to commit adultery.
It’s not to say he volunteered the suggestion, and furthermore, he had been trying to have children the biblical way with Sarah alone for many years, but it was not happening. What was he to do? Will he continue to obey God, or will he buckle under pressure at the test site?
We all know the story of his failure, and because of this he needed to be returned to the manufacturing plant for inspection, and correction, and then he would be retested. He would be taken to a different test site, where much more rigorous testing is done, before he can be certified. Let’s read:
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt(Test) Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
A very interesting commentary is written by the servant of The Lord pertaining to this test and the consequent certification that took place at the test site, Moriah. There is great need for us as Christians living in these last days of earth’s history to know and understand as much as possible, the ways of God. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 148>151] Abraham was tempted to believe that he might be under a delusion. In his doubt and anguish he bowed upon the earth, and prayed, as he had never prayed before, for some “confirmation” of the command if he must perform this terrible duty.
He went to the place where he had several times met the heavenly messengers, hoping to meet them again, and receive some further direction; “but none came to his relief”. Side by side the father and the son journeyed in silence. The patriarch, pondering his heavy secret, had no heart for words. His thoughts were of the proud, fond mother, and the day when he should return to her alone.
That day, the longest that Abraham had ever experienced, dragged slowly to its close. While his son and the young men were sleeping, he spent the night in prayer, still hoping that some heavenly messenger might come to say that the trial was enough, that the youth might return unharmed to his mother. But no relief came to his tortured soul.
The loving thing about God is that He will only allow tests that we should be able to bear because Toyota Corollas need not be tested as rigorously as would a Mustang. This is the very reason why Sarah was not taken to the same test site as Abraham was because God knew she was a Corolla as far as obedience and faith were concerned. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This is not to say that Sarah wouldn’t have her own trials, but her testing would be commensurate with what she was expected to endure. We should also understand that there are different types of test sites. There are test sites where persons are tested on conflict resolution. Then there are marriage test sites where husbands and wives would be severely tempted to deviate from God’s ideal.
There are monetary test sites too, where Christians are put through the wringer to see if they would be found faithful when they have little or nothing. The test site of ridicule, scorn, and love of approbation did Peter in, when it became most unpopular to be associated with Jesus. Satan deals in both ridicule and flattery, and at such test sites some Christians are known to stumble big time. Let’s read:
Matthew 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Again, there is the test site of anger management, a place where some are found wanting. It was at this test site that satan was permitted to tempt Moses to the core, for on previous tests, he had observed that cracks had begun to appear. First, it was with the spontaneous killing of the Egyptian taskmaster, then with the breaking of the Ten commandments that were written on stone. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
Thus, a list of the more prominent test sites are given in the Bible, so that we may know what will come our way sooner or later. The points that are listed there represent the various temptations and tests that we may have to contend with, but if we do not put ourselves unnecessarily in harm’s way, God is able to keep us from falling. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
It was determined that satan would be permitted to pull out the rug from under Job’s feet to see if he would continue to serve and obey God. Prior to this, things were going pretty well with Job and his entire household, a fact that satan himself acknowledged when the issue of his faithfulness came up.
Thus, he was permitted to be taken to a test site where the material things of earth would be pitted against one’s love for God. To serve and obey God when we are flush with blessings is one thing, but when or if they are removed, some renege on their commitment to be faithful to God. Let’s read:
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
And now, having survived this first brutal test, he is permitted to be taken to another infamous test site, one where one’s health and well-being would be sorely tested. It is one thing to serve God when one is in good health, and the radiance of life could be seen on one’s brow.
But when one’s body is riddled with cancers, and unbelievable pain becomes one’s daily lot, with the drugs and painkillers losing their sting with every use, a person’s faith can be severely tested, and the temptation to give up hope and throw in the towel can be real. In Job’s case, a sudden onset of painful boils and blisters began to affect him, and his skin, once clear and radiant became full of sores.
Would he now throw in the towel in frustration, or will he continue to obey God when the going gets even rougher? Added to this, his own wife turns on him, the one who should be encouraging him above all others, now joins satan in making his situation even harder to bear. Will he survive the test, or will he buckle under pressure? Let’s read:
Job 2:4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Most of us will never be put through the wringer as Job was, for this was an isolated instance where the integrity of The Lord was called into question in the public square. And indeed, it was a vital point that needed to be addressed in public, for the question was raised that God’s people may have been bribed to serve Him.
This question must of necessity be settled once and for all, because if God has to bribe us to serve Him, then we would be obeying Him for what He has and not for who He is. God could only accept the pure service of love; which is based upon our intelligent understanding of His character, for if we serve God for only what we can get out of Him our faith is vain and it would be signally overthrown at one of those infamous test sites.
In the not too distant future, our faith in God will be severely tested. As we see with our own two eyes, the proliferation of all kinds of evils, we should be reminded that the Bible predicts that there will be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Of that time, the prophets of The Lord were inspired to pen the following cryptic words. Let’s read:
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
[G.C pp 622] It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal.
[L.D.E pp 260] The people of God are not at this time all in one place. They are in different companies and in all parts of the earth; and they will be tried singly, not in groups. Everyone must stand the test for himself. The faith of individual members of the church will be tested as though there was not another person in the world.
[G.C. pp 621] The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger, a faith that will not faint, though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time.
Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God's promises, as he did, and would be as earnest and persevering as he was will succeed as he succeeded.
Let us then use the various trials and adversities that come our way from time to time as practice. Let us not buckle under pressure, nor give up our faith in God when troubles and temptations come. Instead, let us fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on the arm of omnipotence, and trusting God in every adverse situation, for if we keep our heads lifted to the skies, from whence comes our help, we will live victoriously, and would be certified by the angel of revelation 7.
We thus close with two passages of scripture which should encourage everyone to be faithful in every situation. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:26 And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
God Bless!