The past two years have been trying to say the least. We’ve lost loved ones too young, mourned as we left behind friends and family to move to another country, and my husband had a heart attack at the end of last year.

It’s easy to slip into the woe is me mentality. It’s easy to get passive about faith and want to focus on ourselves. And, its super easy just to give up.

But, like I tell my kids, Anything worth doing in life is hard. Hard things produce results. And, in the end, there is a growth, a sense of accomplishment, and strength.

More than that, as Christ followers, we get to know God more and become more like Christ!

Why Does God Test Us?

James starts his letter to his recently converted Jewish brethren in a fairly strange way:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. “ -James 1:2-4 NIV

Joy in trials? Testing of my faith? These are the things we wrestle with on a daily. It has the ability to make or break us. Will we persevere and let in do a work in us? Or will we give in the flesh and become bitter and angry?

The answer to why does God test us is pretty clear: It produces perseverance. Perseverance makes us complete, mature, and lacking nothing. Testing does a sanctifying work to make us more like Jesus!

We see in scriptures that testing does the following:

• Produces perseverance. (James 1:3)
• Humbles us. (Deuteronomy 8:2)
• Brings out what’s in our hearts. (Proverbs 17:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:4)
• Proves our love for the Lord. (Deuteronomy 13:3)
• Shows our commitment. (Luke 8:13)
• Keep us from sinning. (Exodus 20:20)

Examples of God Testing People in the Bible

I just want to say that there are lots of examples of testing in the Bible. We don’t have time to mention them all and I don’t have enough space to even develop every account.

The important point I’d like to make is that God tests those He loves and along the way, they learn valuable lessons and a deeper trust in the Lord.

God Tests Abraham

In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, his long awaited son of promise. Abraham learns that God is his Provider. (v.14)

A couple of take-ways: 1) Abraham does not question God but shows faith and obedience. 2)God blesses Abraham because of his faithfulness in the testing.

God Tests the Israelites

In Deuteronomy 8 Moses reminds the Israelites that their 40 years in the wilderness were all about God’s testing to know what was in their hearts. Just like Abraham, their lesson was that God is Provider. (v.3-4)

A couple of take-aways: 1) God’s testing was to humble them. He opposes the proud but give grace to the humble. (v.2) 2) God promises blessings for their obedience in trials. (v.1)

God Tests the Disciples

I would encourage you to read about the testing of Job and Hezekiah as well but we are going to fast-forward to the New Testament and focus on Jesus and the disciples.

In John 6, Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand by multiplying a simple offering. Verses 5-6 tell us, “When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

A couple of take-aways: 1) Jesus’ test was to see if the disciples had faith. He already knew exactly how He would provide. 2) God not only provided but there was an abundance left over.

God’s Testing Proves He is Trustworthy

In all of these situations, we see one common theme: The tested learns that God is their Provider:

• So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14 NIV

• He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Deuteronomy 8:3-4 NIV

• Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”  John 6:12-13NIV

We can persevere through any trial when we know our God has a plan, purpose, and is providing along the way all we need to have success. He provides spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically!

Jesus was led to the wilderness by the Spirit in order to be tested by Satan for 40 days and nights and found to be perfect. Because of His perfection, sufferings, and ultimate provision by dying on the cross for our sins, we too can overcome testing and have victory!

Warning: It is Dangerous to Test God

While God has the authority, power, and right to test us, we do not have the same privilege. It’s like a child trying to discipline the parent, it doesn’t work that way!

When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by Satan, He said, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7 NIV) He was quoting Deuteronomy 6:16 when God reminds the people not to put Him to the test as they had previously done with their complaining and disobedience.

In 1 Corinthians 10:9, Paul warns, ” We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.” He is referring to the incident in Numbers 21 when the Israelites sinned and God sent poisonous snakes among them.

Most of these instances in the Bible when people are “testing God”, what we see is an attitude of grumbling and complaining that puts down God’s character, doubting, sexual immorality, and/or repeated disobedience with no repentance.

There is one place the Bible where God allows or calls us to test Him in order that He might prove something of His character and love to us. The attitude is humility and no sin is involved. However, this is the exception by His good will and not the rule.

In Malachi, God says test Him by being faithful in giving and see if He doesn’t “open the windows of heaven and power down overflowing blessings.” (Malachi 3:10-12)

Encouragement for Times of Testing

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” ~ 1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV

First, we should not be surprised, Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble and in the history of the church we see many hardships.

The good news is that Jesus suffered also and He is prepared to comfort and guide us in times of testing.

Second, just like we discuss in James 1:2, Peter also tells us to rejoice in suffering. This is not an easy or normal reaction.

The best news is that we will be “overjoyed” when his glory is revealed. We will have that much more to look forward to at the second coming of Christ. We can focus our hope on eternity.

Romans 8:18 NIV states, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Be encouraged, this test won’t last forever and God is preparing us for an eternity with Him.

Bible Verses on God’s Testing

We have already looked at several verses and people who endured God’s testing. Here are a few more that help us to understand and a few promises to hold on to in times of testing:

• I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17 NIV

• Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23 NIV

• The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. Proverbs 27:21 NIV

• For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

• Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

• So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heartsas you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. Hebrews 3:7-9 NIV

• On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

Prayers for When You Go Through Testing and Trials

Test me, Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. ~Psalm 26: 2-3 NIV

Reverence

God, thank you that you have unfailing love and faithfulness toward me so I can know that times of testing are for my good to be more like Jesus.

Response

Lord, forgive me when I complain and get my eyes fixed on my problems instead of calling on you for help and hope during these times of testing.

Request

Heavenly Father, as I face _______________ please keep me mindful of you unfailing love and reliance on Your goodness and faithfulness.

Readiness

Test me, Lord, and examine my heart and mind. Show me where I need humility, patience, and perseverance. In Jesus name, AMEN!