God Test

The Fifth Book of Moses Called Deuteronomy
Chapter 8

How Does God Test
God Testing in the Bible Story

Right now is a great time to share some Daily Bread! We're studying one of Moses' farewell addresses to the children of Israel and as he does many times, Moses stresses the importance of being obedient to God when they reach the Land of Promise.

Moses makes an interesting point that we can apply to our lives today. He said, Remember that God led you through the wilderness for forty years to test you and to humble you, so He could know what was in your heart and if you would follow Him or not.

I have a couple of questions for you to think about. What is life all about, if not a test to see if we will be true to our Lord? The whole reason He put us here is to glorify Him, so if we are disobedient to Him, how can we possibly pass the test? For those who have had the question just pop into your mind: Why should God test us though ... Why does it have to be so difficult and scary?

When Does God Test
God Testing in the Bible Events

Well, let's think back to the story of the fallen angels from Genesis 6:1-6 ... There were certain of the sons of God ... Angels ... Spiritual beings that God created, who were never human fleshly people, but holy angels that lived in Heaven, where there is absolutely nothing lacking.

The only thing they didn't have there, is sin, and they traded up the Lord to come down to Earth to partake of it. Why wouldn't God test the sons of Man that He chose as His peculiar people, if the the sons of God, who had far less temptation, failed Him?

My point is, now we are all His chosen people. And of course we are living in the times of the New Testament, so as Christians, God puts the laws in our hearts ... But He also gives us the choice ... Just as the fallen angels had a choice ... As to whether we will choose to follow the Lord or the sin of the world.

God Test Study
God Testing in the Bible Lesson

Praise God every day for His merciful Grace, because He knows what a disadvantage we have, being fleshly human beings with original sin, as compared to the angels. We are His servants ... And potential Angels of the future. Does God want more disobedient angels? Heavens no! And that is the answer to the question of why God tests us.

Think of life as our time in the wilderness, being tested and humbled, so that God will know what is in our hearts, and whether we will be obedient angels to Him. When problems arise in life, think of how the children of Israel murmured instead of having confidence in God to provide and protect. We are His children.

Any good parent provides and protects, and God is the Father of all ... Who loves us more than we can even imagine. When you put problems into this kind of perspective, everything looks brighter.

God Test is Love
God Testing in the Bible Truth

Now, back to what Moses was saying. He explained that God allowed Israel to go hungry and then fed them with manna to prove to them that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Our Jesus said those words when He was contending with the devil, remember?

Moses continues, saying, Remember also, that just as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord chastens you, so give your respect to Him. Can you remember ever being disciplined for something as a child, and you thought it was such an injustice at the time, but then when you got older, you realized that it was done out of love and for your own good? Have you ever wondered if sometimes things don't go the way you want them to in life, because ...

1. You haven't followed God's plan or
2. You don't intend to follow His plan

God Test of Faith
God Testing in the Bible Warning

Think about it. How many times have you looked back and wondered if the Lord's divine hand was really the reason why things didn't go your way ... And in the end, you thanked Him for making things turn out as they did (His way). One thing about discipline ... Its thanks is always deferred.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could realize the benefit that the disciplinarian is trying to relate to us immediately, rather than a long time after it has occurred? How much resentment would be erased from our lives, and how much more productive could we be for the Lord? Oh my!

In the remainder of this chapter, Moses describes what a lovely, good land the Lord is giving to the children of Israel, and warns them: Once you get there and are all content, Be sure to bless the Lord for all He has given you. Don't get prideful and think in your heart that you have obtained any of this by your own power, because if you do, the Lord will destroy you, just as He did to the nations that were driven out of that beautiful land.

God Test Conclusion
God Testing in the Bible Summary

That's good advice to remember in our own lives. Every single good thing we have, is because the Lord provided it for us. Yes, we may earn the money to buy things, or we may do good things that bring recognition, but without the Lord, we wouldn't have strength or health or ability or even life itself, so never forget to give credit where credit is due.

Fortune and fame are worthless in Heaven. "Did you glorify your Father?" is the question that holds all the answers that will allow you to be His Angel when it's time.

Join again next time for another great Old Testament story, right here at Daily Bread!