ARE YOU BEING TESTED?

The Psalmist, David, knew the testing of God. Although he was a “man after God’s own heart” (so described by God Himself), he was not spared difficulties in this life and speaks of it in Psalm 66.

¹⁰ For you, God, tested us;

you refined us as silver is refined.

¹¹ You lured us into a trap;

you placed burdens on our backs.

¹² You let men ride over our heads;

we went through fire and water,

but you brought us out to abundance.^,

The writer of Hebrews repeats this understanding as he devotes an entire chapter (Chapter 12) to reminding us that we will go through testing and refining by God. But, like earthly sons who were trained by their fathers, so we must accept and respond rightly to the training of God. It will yield life and “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

In Hebrews 12, God gives us six powerful reminders of what we must do in times of testing and difficulty if it will yield the greatest fruit.

1.EMBRACE AND ENDURE SUFFERING AS DISCIPLINE (TRAINING)

⁷ Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons.

2.STRENGTHEN YOUR HANDS AND KNEES AND WALK STRAIGHT

¹² Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

(Don’t take an alternate path during times of difficulty to find some relief).

3.PURSUE PEACE AND HOLINESS

The tendency, particularly if other people are involved, is to get upset at others and not keep squarely on the path to holiness.

¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.

4.FORGIVE FULLY AND LET NO BITTERNESS ROOT ITSELF IN YOUR HEART

¹⁵ Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.

5.DON’T RUN TO IMMORALITY OR IMPURITY AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD

¹⁶ And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.

6.MAKE SURE THAT YOU LISTEN AND RESPOND TO ALL THAT GOD IS SAYING.

²⁵ See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks

I just watched a godly man and his wife endure some great sufferings in the past six months. It would have taken lesser men out. But time and again, I witnessed him and his wife humble themselves and respond as God instructs in Hebrews 12. The result? They are more like Jesus; they have given a powerful witness to those of us who observed their lives; they are better equipped to lead others; and (most importantly) they have honored and pleased their Father. Those who follow the Father most fully are always rewarded.

Look through human history. You will discover two things. First, everyone is tested and faces difficulty in this life. Everyone. You are not an exception. Secondly, only a few are “refined” by it. Many misinterpret God’s gracious purposes and become less like the Father, not more conformed to His image. But, “to those who are refined by it,” suffering yields incredible fruit in this life and the life to come.