Tests from the Lord are blessings! They are intended to strengthen us and draw us closer to the Lord. We read in James 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (NASB) Let’s continue on and read verse 13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” In these two verses, the Greek word for ‘trial’ and ‘tempted’ are from the same Greek word. But we need to be clear on this…the Lord, while He may try our faith, will never tempt us to sin. His trials towards us are to strengthen our faith, not to give opportunity and temptation to sin.

Let’s consider a few verses that show the value of the trials of our faith:

1 Peter 1:6-8 tells us, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by VARIOUS TRIALS, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to RESULT IN PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” This is one great blessing that comes from our trials…endurance, or patience, is a result of our being tried. How we all need more patience!

Matthew 5:11 says, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” Trials come in a variety of ways. Here we see blessings come as a result of standing for Christ. The Lord may allow persecution to come upon us, but when we suffer because of the Lord, He will greatly bless us for our faithfulness to Him.

I suppose one of the greatest trials that anyone has been through is found in Genesis 22:1-2, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Wow, what a temptation or trial of faith. Most of us know the story well. If you don’t I encourage you to read Genesis 22 for this amazing account of Abraham’s faithfulness to the Lord. Of course, the Lord stopped Abraham before he could harm his son, Isaac. We then read in Genesis 22:12, “He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for NOW I KNOW THAT YOU FEAR GOD, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Because of this trial, Abraham’s faith was manifested in an unmistakable way…and God was glorified.

James 1:17 tells us, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” Everything that comes to us from our Father’s hand is good and perfect. The trials that the Lord sends us are from His hand, and are therefore good and perfect, also. Is the Lord trying you? “Count it all joy!” (300.4)