Scientist conduct multiple trials as they work. Weight lifters attempt ever heavier weights to reach a maximum. God provides trials for me to purify me and my work for Him.
“9And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”
— Zechariah 13:9 (ESV)
I will be tested by God to make me stronger for Him and to continue to build my endurance.
“3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” — James 1:3 (ESV)
With my endurance, I am able to withstand even more and more trials and tests. I am also able to overcome temptations that I encounter along the way. As I am dealing with and working through the trials as are presented by God, I am avoiding the idleness that leads to temptation through my engagement in the work of God. As I have studied and written before, it is this avoidance of idleness that keeps me away from the temptation as I will not have time for it as I am otherwise engaged.
“12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” — James 1:12-13 (ESV)
God will test me, He will not tempt me. I am here to do His work and the tests are to build me up so that I have the strength and stamina to take my part to the end and be able to hand it off to the next in line to complete their part. Yes, that sounds like the recipe for a relay race and I meant it to be. I have but my part to be concerned with. God has already set the work to be completed and completed successfully. I have to remember that I have to do my part. I am unable to complete my part if I am not prepared and that preparedness is in the endurance that comes from the tests and trials that are presented me as I do the work of God.
God’s work will be filled with tests and trials to which I am joyful to have. No, they are not easy to deal with, they are tests and trials. What they are there for, as I included earlier, is to refine me and ensure that I am indeed working for the LORD and not my own gain.
I know there is a lot of God’s Word included here in my post. I have found that it is not my words, but God’s that are important. I am writing only to give my thoughts on what God has shown. I again stress that I am no theologian and am only a sinner working to do the work God has for me. I am willing and excited to do the work and count the tests and trials as a blessing from the LORD.
What do you think about the tests and trials presented to you? Are you downtrodden with all of the challenges that comes when doing God’s work? What if you were to embrace the tests and trials as refining you to accomplish your work for God?
Trevor's Thoughts 