April 19, 2023: Tested For Quality

"Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan." (Judges 3:1, ESV)

The Hebrew word for 'test' is 'nāsâ.' "It has the idea of testing or proving the quality of someone or something, often through adversity or hardship." (Archer Harris T.W.O.T.) Tests are not designed to destroy us. They are designed to build us. They are given to demonstrate how much we have learned and to show the quality of what we have become.  

God does not test us to destroy us but to reveal to us the quality of Christians we are. Most people do not like taking tests, myself included. But trials determine the areas where growth is needed. When you realize that you are being tested for growth purposes, you accept the fact and wait for the result. Given the outcome of the test, you either advance or remain where you are. The athlete sitting on the bench watching the game will either stay there when tested or outgrow the bench and get into the game.

Are you feeling benched by God? Do you feel like you continue to go around the same mountain with different settings or situations? Maybe you need to determine the area God wants you to grow in and get to work growing. The choice is ours. We have one life to live; give it your all and become who God designed you to be!