Most of us remember being in school and those tests that were given in science class, history class, math class, and all of the other subjects we were being taught. Scores ranking from A to F. Those who studied hard and retained the information scored far better than those who did not.
Scripture tells us as we live life on earth we will be tested to see how we score in the eyes of our Lord. Here are a few of the many verses that speak of the test.
James 1:3 (NIV) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Ezekiel 21:13 (NIV) ‘Testing will surely come. And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue? declares the Sovereign Lord .’
Acts 20:19 (NIV) I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
I don't know about you but I was never a fan of school tests. I could study my heart out and then still fail the test. Retaining what I had studied the night before would leave me when the fear of the test came. I panicked. Panic does not help in a test.
In our walk of faith we have these same tests happening. One day we are flying on a cloud with the Lord God, feeling His love and knowing we can do all things in Christ Jesus. The next day we are in a puddle on the floor begging for His mercy because someone we love is suffering from a horrendous medical discovery or the money is gone and the rent is due. These are the tests of our faith. These are what mold us into the person God intends us to be. It is easy to say we have great faith but it is another to live it.
When we continue our walk with Jesus we learn and we grow. He never promised us there would not be really, really hard tests. In fact He promised us we would have severe tests in our lives. Yes, there are times of peace and harmony. Tranquility and beauty. Rest and relaxation. But we should always be prepared for that test to pop up. Teachers called them "Pop Test's". Pop tests were scary!
Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Paul the apostle teaches that our sufferings, our testing's, are what build us and make us into the mature child of God that we are to become. Testing brings us to hope and being firm in our hope that the Lord will do as He has said.
Jesus spoke about the storms (tests) that would come to the people on earth but reminded right off the bat we have to be wise and put the word of God into practice in order to stand and endure the tests.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) “24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Each time one of those "Pop Tests" come into our lives we have to believe there is a reason. Sometimes the test will account for 50% of the grade. Sometimes it's a pass or fail test. Sometimes it is a simple test with simple answers. It is always a test for a reason or for a season of life.
We do not ever question the Teacher. He is the Author and the Finisher. He is Almighty God who knows all things. He is the Father who loves us so deeply that He wants us to pass the test and receive the price of all He has in store for us, His children, His family.
Romans 8:18 (NIV) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
