Ask for the Test

I wrote about not testing God, now I write about asking for the test. I am continuing my study this morning on the word “test” and have come to Psalm 26 which in my bible is titled “I will bless the LORD”. Verses 1 – 3 are of David giving everything of himself to the LORD to demonstrate his devotion.

“¹Vindicate me, O LORD,

for I have walked in my integrity,

and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

²Prove me, O LORD, and try me;

test my heart and my mind.

³For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

and I walk in your faithfulness.” — Psalm 26:1-3 ESV

When I see these verses, I see a man that have fully given himself to the LORD. I see a man that is so devoted, anything brought to him will be seen as a way to show that devotion. Even to the point of asking to be tested. I see someone standing and asking for more to prove that there is full submission to the work and glory of God.

I have to ask myself if this is indeed how I approach the LORD. Am I so devoted that I am comfortable with asking for the LORD to throw more my way. Am I so devoted that I am looking for the test to show my willingness to take on any and everything in and for the name of the LORD. I like to think that I am, but am I?

There are a lot of things that go on in our lives and some of those things are an extension of our work for the LORD as tests and some of those things are brought on by the evil one as temptations. The difficult thing is to determine which is which as the evil one will disguise temptation as a test. For me, what I am discussing today from this passage in Psalm is the idea of simply asking God for the tests to help avoid the temptations. Will we still be tempted, yes as again I say, the evil one will disguise temptation as test. But, when we are asking in the name of the LORD, it shall be given.

Too often I find myself asking for those things that deliver me, but those things that allow me to demonstrate my devotion are far from my lips and heart. I want to have that which God provides and forget that I am here to provide glory for and to Him. I have to be fully devoted to the LORD, not just when times are good, but in all times and that goes for asking Him to allow me to show through tests.

What are you asking for from the LORD? Are you asking for deliverance at all times? What if you asked to show your devotion to Him through tests as well?