I had a practice in my school days when writing exams. I would not risk using a new (unused) pen for any paper. I must have used the pen a few times before taking it to the exam hall. This is to ensure that I’ve tested the pen and I’m used to it. This reminds me of the way God relates with us; He would often test us before He trusts us.
Friend, God will test you before He trusts you. Salvation is based on divine love but leadership or influence is based on divine trust (Luke 16:10-12). God will love you forever but He won’t trust the untested with influence and leadership. Influence in the hands of an untrained and untested person is dangerous (John 21:3).
Most of the issues you face daily are divine tests in disguise (Psalms 66:10-12). Unlike in our normal school system, divine tests are never announced. They often come when we least expect them, hence, the need to live ready and conscious of the reality of divine tests.
God does not promote people on trial. You can remain on the same spot for years if you keep failing divine tests (Genesis 16:16, 17:1). He does not prop people up and give them passage without thorough check and examination. Like Jesus and Job, God wants to present us to the devil and to our generation as tested and trusted (Job 1:8, Matthew 17:5).
Divine tests are to reveal the substance we are made of. An authentic gold is not afraid of passing through the fire. The fire is not to burn it but to refine and reveal its uniqueness (Job 23:10). Sometimes, you don’t know how strong and sound you are until you go through divine tests. When God is testing you, you need a baptism of patience so you won’t truncate the process (James 5:11).
While God tests us, the devil tempts us (Genesis 22:1, Matthew 4:3). The purpose of divine test is to launch us into our next level of greatness with Him while the purpose of satanic temptation is to bring us down. Abraham was tested by God, Job was tempted by the devil (Genesis 22:15-18). It is those who have passed divine tests that can survive satanic temptation (Job 1:8, 2:3).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria