why does god test me so much
I imagine him as an old man reflecting back over his life. Solicitation Disclosure Statement We believe everyone should have access to this, which is why we offer so many of our resources for free. Moreover, the fact that we have difficulty detecting his presence or understanding his ways of working is probably good evidence that he really does exist. WebOceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible went missing on Sunday. Do you want to love and know God better and better every day? I just wasn't able to obey though. Lets begin with two other important Greek words. 10 of the spies come back with a bad report. September 13,2017 I had a heart attack,couldn't breathe,sweating like crazy. Soon after Christian begins his journey, Pliable (someone easily swayed without commitment) joins him. Some people say, I dont think I can live on only 90 percent of my income. That is one of the reasons why He gives us an entrance exam of suffering or tragedy. To God all glory & praise is given. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. I dont know how we would get through this without him. In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns. It makes me want to not connect with God, because I have nothing left to hope for based on His word. The course of Jewish history could have been completely changed and altered forever if Moses would not have had enough patience to wait for God to part that Red Sea on the day that it actually occurred. We see how He deals with people, and one of the most common ways is through testing them. At first, Christian and Pliable look equally committed, but that quickly changed when they experienced a trial. Describe hypothetical people who represent the seed that fell on stony places. What made them look like Christians before the trial? Instead of sending Jesus right of way into His three and half year miracle ministry and then eventually to the cross to save all of us, God sends His Son out into the desert to face a temptation test direct with the devil himself. This is the case for believers and unbelievers alike. The pains started again,it was as though life was leaving my body. I told her I couldn't drive home,so I spent the night. Philip now had an opportunity to see how much he was relying on his own strength so he could work on this lack of faith and do better in the future. And He said, Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father. From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. The text in this post is from Enduring Trials Gods Way: A Biblical Recipe for Finding Joy in Suffering, and the audio is from the accompanying audiobook. Hi Brian, Thank you for reading and commenting. Joshua and Caleb ended up going into the Promised Land after the 40 years was up, and the Bible says that Joshua was able to conquer and gain full possession of every ounce of land that his foot had stepped on all because he had enough faith and belief in God that He could this for him. Just as a test in school is not meant to teach you something but rather gauge how well you have learned the content, so too does God use tests to make us aware of what we need to work on with him. May I get out again with my Life, you shall possess the brave Country alone for me. And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got off the mire on that side of the Slough which was next to his own house; so away he went, and Christian saw him no more. It wouldnt occur to us to think that God didnt love them. This is the only exception. People struggle with Gods command for Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. WebQUOTE BY MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: It is very DIFFICULT to be HUMBLE if you are always SUCCESSFUL, so GOD CHASTISES us with FAILURE (so to speak) at times in order to HUMBLE us, to keep us in a STATE of HUMILITY. [ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10] This is Part 3 in an SO4J Article Series regarding the Storms of Life ON THIS PAGE: David used both words when asking God to test him to know his heart: When God tests people, it is not to imply He did not already know them. As for hell: God didnt create hell, per se. Instead, God proved that Abraham feared Him. The reason God is going to test you before your big, final breakthrough in Him is because He has to see if you got what it takes to actually make the grade in that Abraham passed his test and you saw what happened to him as a result. Therefore, the point of the test isnt so much a demonstration for God as it is a demonstration for us who are being tested. We do not want to wonder where we are going to spend eternity. They cannot go backwards or else they wall fall back into slavery with the Egyptians, as the Egyptians are now starting to come back after them. The God of Christianity is the God who revealed himself as fully as he wanted in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. They reached their first trialthe Slough (swamp) of Despond (despair). Type in your email address and a copy will be sent right to your inbox. Right after Jesus gets baptized with the Holy Spirit in the Jordan River, God does something rather strange with Jesus. Instead of being offended and hurt that God allowed this to happen, instead they would say something like, Im just so grateful God is with us. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. He remembered how God had led him. At the start, permit me to state something that might seem to go against intuition: God loves you and your family even more than you do, and he only wants the best for you. As already discussed, we should expect trials. Did He suspect them? Of greatest importance is enduringcontinuing to push through the mud. I also let it become a character lapse and got myself really far down. What would have happened to the Jewish people as a nation and as a people if they would have gone back into slavery with the Egyptians if they would not have waited for this miraculous event to occur with the Lord? I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testing, Gods command for Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), Count it all joy when you fall into various, James 1:3 says, count it all joy, and 1 Peter 1:7 says, greatly rejoice., James 1:3 says, [trials] test your faith, and, 1 Peter 1:7 says, [trials] prove the genuineness of your faith., Exodus 20:20aMoses said to the people, Do not fear; for God has come to, Job 23:10He knows the way that I take; When He has, Psalm 26:2Examine me, O LORD, and prove (nacah) me; Try my mind and my heart., Psalm 139:2324Search me, O God, and know (yada) my heart; Try mesee if there is any wicked way in me.. Instead, He tests us because we dont know how strong we are and well only realize it when times of testing come. Men do not seek to destroy gold with fire. I have felt all the feeling you have felt while trying to complete it. My heart had stopped on the table(God brought me back). My friend, if your faith is genuine, God will test you to prove it. A temptation, however, is when you are enticed to sin. June 22, 2023 6:36 PM PT. When Abrahams faith withstood the test, the Angel said it revealed his fear of God. If you are a person asking the question of why does God put me through so much pain and suffering, the best answer is found in the book of Job. Throughout the Bible God asks people questions, but he never asks them a question for his own benefit because he is all knowing, for as, Psalm 139:4 states, Before a word is on my tongueyou,Lord, know it completely.. This is why James 1:3 is so unique! You can unsubscribe anytime. When I opened my eyes I was in emergency. Without the test, however, we often have an inaccurate view of our own level of maturity and faith. Stony places refer to shallow soil on top of a bedrock layer, where there is not much depth of earth. If Jesus would have fallen for any one of those three specific temptations from the devil, He would have completely lost His entire calling in God, and He then would not have been able to go to the cross to save any of us. This is where you will be shown all of the Goliaths and strongholds that you may have to face and engage with once you cross over into the actual calling. Nor does he send us easy signs of his presence. He is the One who will be making all of the major chess moves on your chess board. When ore is tested to prove it is gold or silver, the assayer puts a fire under it, pours acid on it, and A test is when difficult things happen in life that make you choose if you will follow God or turn from God. Study and meditate on these 4 dramatic examples from our Bible very carefully, as each one of these tests were very severe and very trying for the actual people involved. Or if Im refusing to do the test God is still silent. For example, when Adam and Eve sinned against God and they were hiding in the garden, God asked them, Where are you? (Genesis 3:9). God made the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and gave them the perfect, good world He made. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testing. He learned to trust his faith because of what it withstood: If we have true faith we ought to be glad to have it tested and proved to be genuine. Mother Teresa lived poor. Gods is good. That was why God had to specifically test Him on this issue, to see if He would fall and commit at least one sin. Hello Kean, I believe God would have us destroy a nation of people. Flunk this kind of a test, and you could completely lose your entire calling in the Lord, just like Adam and Eve managed to do in the Garden of Eden. Pliable is like the people who show up at church one daythey look like they are along for the journeybut when troubles arise they leave as suddenly as they came. The main character, Christian, is reading a Book (the Bible) when Evangelist directs him to leave the City of Destruction (the world) to go to the Celestial City (heaven). I've served as a missionary, a pastor, and as a pastoral counselor. Anne Graham Lotz: What Impossible Situation Are You Facing? BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 17 Nov. @Andrea, hey Andrea sister in the Lord. A perfect example of this type of trying test in the Bible is the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. I feel that he has a big purpose in my life but I just can't grasp what it is. What changes took place during or after the trial that made them look unsaved? If you are ever faced with this kind of a severe test with the Lord, you will have to make a very big decision one way or the other. The swelling was so bad my body had to lay open until the swelling went down. Put Me to the test. How do you see the difference between testing and temptation? After he passed, God said, Now I know (yada) that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me (Genesis 22:12b). He knew their belief was not genuine because He knew all men. When a time of testing came for them, their faith proved false. It means, To put ones attention on, fix ones thoughts on, be acquainted with. This is knowledge, but with no personal interaction or relationship. When ore is tested to prove it is gold or silver, the assayer puts a fire under it, pours acid on it, and then determines whether it is genuine. Consider the use of both words in James 1:2 and James 1:3: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (peirasmos), knowing that the testing (dokimion) of your faith produces patience. Since the words are similar, the verses could say: Dokimion only occurs one other time, in 1 Peter 1:6-7, which also contains an instance of peirasmos: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials (peirasmos), that the genuineness (dokimion) of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. It may be anything: an unexpected illness, the death of a loved one, the loss of our job, or even a friend who turns against us. I also learned that a sin that I thought moved passed may return during that I struggle. Trials reveal the condition of our faith. He put his faith through all kinds of mental gymnastics and made it perform like a trained elephant. When God does this, He may show you what some of the obstacles, roadblocks, and opposition may end up being. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. He became the father of many nations and his bloodline was used as the bloodline that brought our Savior Jesus Christ into our world so He could go to the cross and save all of us from our sins. The paperback version is available for $12.99. Trials are simply blatant attacks against Christians. But whatever God may be asking you to do for Him, realize that this is an obedience test being sent your way and that you must fully obey the Lord with whatever He will be asking you to do for Him. As a result of not committing any sins, Jesus was perfectly qualified to go to the cross to save all of us. Philip answered him, Two hundred denariiworth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.. WebOceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible went missing on Sunday. Nowadays many Catholics dont have a sense of this relationship with Christ as being at the heart of their faith. - James 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:7 (Video) Why does God test us as James 1:3 describes? For example, cancer is a trial some unbelievers have survived, while some believers have not. And when that happens, we need to ask God to help our faith grow. Ginsk is used in Matthew 1:25 to say, [Joseph] did not know (ginsk) [Mary] till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. Ginsk is also the word James 1:3 uses for knowing. He tells his readers they know what trials do because they have experienced them before. I told my daughter that my body was shutting down,that's how bad I was feeling. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Here are a few examples: Why does God test His people? There is the occasional time an epistle will say, I want to remind you but primarily they were written to provide new information. And if God tested His very own Son with a specific test, then you can rest assured that He will test each one of you out if you have a specific type of calling in His perfect plan for your life. He may show you exactly what you will have to face. How will you reflect it in your giving? Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Fast-forward to Israel entering the Promised Land. It must walk the streets of life in order to be real, my beloved. How do you reconcile sodom and the Amalekites? Its acceptable to test God in regard to tithes and These seem to be mutually exclusive. God knows weve all asked that question at some point in life. When we pass the tests, we prove the genuineness of our faith. God tests us so we can get a clearer understanding of our own level of faith. Get notified of future Ask a Priest answers via email. But when hard times happen, the true nature of our faith will be revealed. God knew where Adam was. I guess I've just got to be patient. I'm 20 and unemployed living back with my parents because of the pandemic and my choice. He [begins] to be offended, and angrily criticizes Christian. He looked enthusiastic earlier, but the trial revealed his faith was nothing more than a desire for blessings, with no commitment to Christ. When you know that life does not hold the promises of joy your heart needs and that those longings are actually only fulfilled in Christ, the tests in life only deepen your appreciation for your Savior. Instead, He gave us the blueprint on how we can pass the test. God will not tempt us. If God is calling you to be a great pastor, a great Bible teacher, or a great evangelist, rest assured that you will have a big test coming your way right at the point that you are actually getting ready to walk right into that actual calling. This shows surviving (or not surviving) trials does not distinguish Christians from non-Christians. They have no other choice but to just sit and wait for God to move to part the Red Sea. This Dreamer Cometh: What Can We Learn From Joseph About Hanging on to Our Dreams? I recently had the test of "Faith and Belief" where I had to make a decision to remain in one place for my career or move to another in my career. What about individuals who proved their faith was not genuine. Thats when he wrote Psalm 23. One wrong move, or one move made at the wrong time could cause your whole call in God to completely unravel and fall apart. As we all know, Abraham went as far as to actually tie his son down to the altar and had the knife in his hand ready to strike down on him to take his life, when all of a sudden God sends an angel down in the nick of time to stop him. Now we will discuss trials proving our faith. Trials and Tribulations the Testing of Your Faith,, Spirituality Vs. Why? Without tests, we do not have the opportunities to trust God, and without an opportunity to trust God you cant reap the rewards that come through faith. Finally water baptised and spirit-filled. When someone would get cancer, lose a loved one, or go through some financial trial, there were two very different responses people would have. All of the Israelites 20 years and older in the above story lost their one and only chance to enter into the Promised land all simply because they could not muster up enough faith and belief in the Lord to fully conquer and overcome all of the points of opposition and resistance they initially saw in this land. Scholars take notice of the first time God uses a word. How can they be reconciled? When we are in the midst of prosperity, it is difficult to know whether we have a love for God or only for His blessings. Just type in your email address below. The ones who walked away couldnt stand the test, so they left Him. Im not sure they can be on this side of heaven. This Will you be lured by other and false religions? Deuteronomy contains his final words to the people he loved and led for forty years. #1 This is obviously meant more for religious people that believe that God (s) tests us, but anyone can answer if they please. God tests us so we can get a clearer understanding of our own level of faith. Hezekiah was one of the greatest kings in the Old Testament, but he failed when Babylon sent messengers to visit him. Take the bold, biblically-based teaching from Dr. Robert Jeffress with you wherever you go with the Pathway to Victory Podcast. If you want to be blessed by God, then you obey God. However, another group of people would have a very different response. My gift to you. Home I have read the word less and prayed less. This is where God can be extremely mysterious, because he seems to bring us to the edge of endurance. And the test was can they believe in God and His supernatural power to defeat the enemies and strongholds they would have to directly face or will they want to turn around and go back into the desert, never giving God a chance to show them what He could miraculously do for them?
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