Tests of Faith

Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Genesis 22:2

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son.
Hebrews 11:17

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.
Exodus 17:1

When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

"Yes, Lord," they replied.
Matthew 9:28

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Tests! One of my least favorite things about school was tests. Did you know that God tests us? There are many examples in the Bible of God's tests of faith. The verses above talk about tests of faith for Abraham, the Israelites in the desert, and some blind men.

Genesis 22 tells of the time when God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. God had already promised that Abraham's descendants through Sarah would be as the sands of the sea, so why would he tell him to sacrifice his only son? Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham was being tested by God. Abraham's faith was so strong that Hebrews goes on to tell us that Abraham believed that God would raise his son, Isaac, back from the dead. Needless to say, Abraham passed the test.

The Israelite community was tested many times while they wandered through the desert. Exodus 17 tells us of one such time when the Israelites camped in a place with no water. These same Israelites had already witnessed the power of God in Egypt when God sent plagues to the Egyptians and when God opened the Red Sea so they could cross on dry land. When the Egyptian army followed them on this path, God closed the water on the army, killing them all. What was the faith of the Israelites like? Did they pass the test? No, they grumbled and complained thinking that God had brought them there to die in the wilderness.

Now we come to Matthew 9 in the New Testament where we find some blind men following Jesus. Jesus had healed many people of their sicknesses and diseases, so these men knew He could heal their blindness, too. In verse 28 Jesus gives them a test. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Did they pass the test? With flying colors! Verse 29 tells us that He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." All of the blind men left Jesus with their sight restored.

Do we have tests of faith today? Yes, everyday! How should we respond to these tests of faith? Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3) Just as tests in school solidify our learning and help our teachers to know how well we understand the material, so tests of faith help us to see our growth in Christ.

Pray today that you would joyfully respond to the tests of faith that come your way, knowing that God is using them to help you grow as a Christian.