When Tested

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“Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” Genesis 22:10

We are not all tested in the same ways, but we are all tested on the same issues. Consider Abraham, destined to be the father of many nations, after waiting for many years, God gave him a son destined. Genesis 17:5. Then God told him to sacrifice that same boy on a remote wilderness altar. It didn’t make sense because it contradicted God’s promise, yet Abraham obeyed.

It is very unlikely you will be called to face the same challenges as Abraham, but, rest assured, you also will be tested on the same issues.

For example, you will be tested on your level of commitment. When the going gets tough, will you stay committed to God and obey His Word, or will you look for a way out? When it doesn’t make sense, when it isn’t fair, and you don’t deserve it, will you trust God and remain faithful to Him?

You’ll be tested on the issue of who is in control of your life. When you can see the hand of the Enemy at work or identify the person responsible for your predicament, pressure, or pain, will you remember that ‘all things work together for good’ and that God is still running the show? Romans 8:28.

Another area where you’ll be tested is on the issue of your faith. When it looked like God was reneging on His promise, yet ‘by faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.’ Hebrews 11:17. How could a loving father do such a thing? Because he never doubted that God could raise Isaac up, ‘even from the dead.’ Hebrews 11:19.

So when you are tested, ‘continue to hold firmly to [your] declaration of faith. The One who made the promise is faithful.’ Hebrews 10:23.