None of us like exams or tests, do we? I suppose some brilliant geniuses do, but for the rest of us exams and tests mean stress, fear, and sometimes exhaustion. Not a pleasant experience is it? But we can persuade ourselves to keep going if we remind ourselves of the aim or purpose of these exams and tests. We step back and re-frame the test to endure and succeed in the test.
We can experience the same unpleasant feelings when it comes to tests of faith, can’t we? Stress, fear, and even exhaustion. Let’s look at how God tested Abraham’s faith in Genesis 22:1-5 to help us endure and succeed in our own tests.
TESTS ARE DESIGNED BY GOD (1)
God chooses the student to be tested
God chooses the timing of the test
God chooses the subject of the test
Tests are providential not accidental.
How testing will these tests be?
TESTS GET TOUGHER (2)
Tests start easy
Tests more difficult
Tests have a final
Tough tests form firm faith
What will I learn from these tests?
TESTS REVEAL WHO WE ARE (3-5)
No complaint from Abraham
Full compliance by Abraham
God will test our trust to see if we trust the tester.
LIVING THE BIBLE
When our faith is tested, let’s remember that the test is from God, the test is toughening our trust, and the test is exhibiting our trust.