How Does God Test the Value of Our Faith?

"God has not called us to success, but to faithfulness."   -Oswald Chambers

God blesses someone who perseveres under trial. Blessed means "fortunate," and speaks of an inner quality of joy, a contentment in God not affected by outward circumstances. In fact, the New Testament often uses this word to describe those who, as far as outward circumstances are concerned, appear not to be fortunate at all! For example: the poor, the hungry, the persecuted, or the martyrs.

This blessing is a joy that the world can not take from us. It's joy that resides in the depths of your heart. Joy is a matter of choice. You can allow yourself to be miserable in life, or you can choose to face the challenges of life with joy. Our joy flows from a personal connection with the Savior of the World. Nothing can ever take that away from you.

The happiness of believers flows out of faithfully following Jesus. It comes after one has following Him through the good and the bad of life. Inner blessedness is the result of faithfully following Jesus even through life's trials and tribulations. And, believe me, trials will come to the Christian who lives a spiritual life. But, the key here is to persevere!

Perseverance is: standing steadfastly in the midst of trial, facing it in the faith of Jesus Christ. God wants to bring us to the place where we patiently wait for Him to do His work in us. He wants to develop within us the patient assurance that He is at work, and He does His deepest and best work in our trials.

God samples the value of our faith through the trials of life. If we preserve in faithfulness to Him, and His word, it proves our faith is authentic, genuine and more precious than gold. Trials bring blessing because they prove our faith is genuine. God blesses our faith when we trust Him through the trial.

God uses trials for the expressed purpose of building our faith and character. Character must be tested to be proven genuine. There is no place for wimps in the development of faith for faith development calls for stamina and courage.

Certainly, difficulties can get you down. After all, we're only human. But, if you will remain faithful to God your difficulties will give you strength of character so that you will walk confidently with God; prepared for whatever life has in store for you. The way to God’s winner’s circle is by loving Him and staying faithful even under pressure.

Also, pray that you may be able to withstand the fierce winds of temptation and the storms and stresses of life so that you may be more like Jesus. Enduring temptation means that we must bear up under it, not get mad at God when troubles come and things don’t seem fair. We must remain faithful and not stumble if God takes His time in bringing us through it all.

Enduring temptation means that we take the troubles of life and bravely face them, continuing to trust in the Lord. We should bear them patiently and with integrity because we know that it’s all in God’s hands and will somehow work out something good in our lives.

It's important to remember that temptations are nothing more than tokens of God’s love and confidence in us. He allows them to come to strengthen us and to help us draw closer to Him. And, what is waiting for us when we have endured to the end, when we have faced that great leveler? We shall receive the Crown of Life!

Therefore, what motivates us to continue being faithful in spite of the trials of life? One word: Love.

- Love motivates a joyful attitude –– We love God, God loves us and will not harm us.
- Love motivates an understanding mind –– God teaches us through the trials, and we grow.
- Love motivates surrender of my will –– when love reigns, we can surrender and obey.
- Love motivates belief – we you love you believe the best about God and the situations of life.

Love keeps us faithful to the Lord. Notice first comes the cross, or trial and then the crown of life. First comes the suffering, then the glory. God doesn't help us by removing the tests; but by making the tests work for us. Satan uses tests or temptation to tear us down but God transforms them into stepping-stones to build us up.

In conclusion, troubles drive us to God who delights to help those who are forsaken of hopes. In easy times many either do not pray at all; or they do, but weakly. However, under stress, our prayers, like swift streams forced through narrow straits, run mighty to God.

And through this thrusting ourselves more fully upon God, He is able to purify us and make us of proven or genuine character. This person will be blessed and rewarded in that he will enjoy a divine sufficiency in life regardless of circumstances.

God’s purpose in trials is maturity. To have the right attitude in trials one must see the advantage of trials, but when it is difficult to see the advantages, one can ask God in faith and God will give him the right attitude in trials. He can rejoice in trials and be blessed by enduring them.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:24; Proverbs 3:5;  Deuteronomy 6:5; Titus 3:5; John 14:6; John 16:13; John 6:47-50

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that You always keep me in Your presence. Let me never be separated from You, and help me to do Your Will. Amen.

May God always bless you!

Shelley