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?
Matthew 4:3-4
3 And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be
the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But He answered and said, It is
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
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 ...
- You haven't followed God's plan or
- 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!
Copyright © 2000-2023 All Rights Reserved.
New Testament Daily Bread
Excellent Christian Resources
Holy Spirit ... This is one of the most awesome gifts you will ever receive or share. Get to know the Holy Spirit.
After you finish the God Test Bible study researching the God Testing in the Bible events, you can also check out some of the other Christian entertainment, games, music, books, mall, studies and programs within our Christian community below: