TESTED TO THE LIMIT
We have all gone through trials and temptations. Some were not serious and we were conscious of God helping us overcome them. Other trials may have lasted for years and we never fully understood why God allowed us to be tested. We prayed for deliverance, but we didn't know why the trial had come. God gave us patience and endurance but no explanation.
This makes me think of Job’s trials. He never did find out that Satan had instigated his suffering or why God had allowed it. He knew he had not committed any particular sin that he was aware of. His doctrine was right, so he refused to accept the accusations of his friends.
Years ago I myself went through a severe testing. God showed me something that I needed to yield totally to Him. It was a struggle, but I made the decision to obey God. I knew this relationship was not God’s will, and I put it out of my mind.
I was shocked when the desire for this thing returned. It filled my thoughts even though I surrendered it to the Lord time after time. I was careful not to tell anyone about this struggle, because I thought that would make it more real, more difficult to forget.
Three years later I was still struggling. Health problems arose while I was on furlough and it was questionable whether I would be able to return to Laos. But I was determined to go back to the people God had called me to serve.
The stress was almost too much. The day I boarded the freighter to return, I had constant pain in my left arm and chest, yet I refused to admit it to anyone. I would not let any situation rob me of the privilege of serving God in Laos.
After a year back on the mission field, a combination of circumstances convinced me that I could not go on. I was having numerous health problems and felt I was not doing my share of the work. Yet my conscience was clear before God. I had not yielded to sin in any way. But I finally left Laos, a country that is still dear to my heart.
At that time I could not understand what was happening to me. I see now that it might have been simply a lack of faith to go on. Or it could be that God was allowing Satan to test me to the limit. No doubt I should have confided in someone and sought advice. But it was an intensely personal matter and I could not talk about it. Yet I knew God would guide me and lead me into some other work I could do for Him.
I never felt that anyone had mistreated me or criticized me. Even now my former coworkers are very patient and forgiving toward me. I still have good relations with the mission board.
Job maintained his faith and trust in God. He said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him" (Job 13:15).
God had allowed this attack on Job because He knew Job could pass the test. He knew that Job had a strong faith and would be victorious. However, God showed him that he needed an attitude change. Job was a righteous man, yet he knew little of the vast extent of God’s power and holiness. He needed humility.
Job was more interested in defending himself than he was in helping his friends. They offered all kinds of advice and some stern rebuke, but they were wrong. Job had not sinned.
Of course, Job knew he was a sinner by nature. He had offered blood sacrifices to God for himself and for his children, to atone for their sin. He believed that he had done all that God required of him. He knew he was not hiding any sin or disobedience.
Job simply needed an attitude change. He needed to see how great God really was. He needed humility, a revelation of how far he fell short of God’s holiness. Only then would he be able to pray for his friends and help them come nearer to God.
He had helped the needy and had fed the hungry. He had been diligent in his religious responsibilities. But he needed an attitude change before he could truly help his self-righteous friends.
We are much like Job. We may have right doctrine, absolute faith in Christ and in God’s Word. We have right actions. We attend worship and Bible study meetings and are not aware of any deliberate sin against God. But deep down, do we have a right attitude?
We are sometimes critical of others. We know we are sinners, saved by grace. But unconsciously we may be proud of our strong faith and our good deeds. We forget how great God is. Even more important, we have never realized how absolutely holy God is.
When we really listen to God and discover his power and perfection and purity, we see that we have nothing to boast of. Then we discover true humility. And only then can God use us to minister effectively to others.
Our quiet time each day is a time for attitude adjustment, as we read God’s Word and discover what God has done for us. Then many times a day we need to ask God to change our attitude so He can truly use us.
Sometimes it is really important to unburden your heart to a close friend. They may criticize you, as Job’s three friends did. But God often gives us helpful advice through our friends.
Whatever test you may be going through right now, make sure that you have no unconfessed sin hiding in your heart. Then trust God fully. He would not allow you to be tested to the limit unless He knew you could pass the test. Always remember that your heavenly Father knows your heart and He will bring you through to victory.
– Rosemary Watson
We have all gone through trials and temptations. Some were not serious and we were conscious of God helping us overcome them. Other trials may have lasted for years and we never fully understood why God allowed us to be tested. We prayed for deliverance, but we didn't know why the trial had come. God gave us patience and endurance but no explanation.
This makes me think of Job’s trials. He never did find out that Satan had instigated his suffering or why God had allowed it. He knew he had not committed any particular sin that he was aware of. His doctrine was right, so he refused to accept the accusations of his friends.
Years ago I myself went through a severe testing. God showed me something that I needed to yield totally to Him. It was a struggle, but I made the decision to obey God. I knew this relationship was not God’s will, and I put it out of my mind.
I was shocked when the desire for this thing returned. It filled my thoughts even though I surrendered it to the Lord time after time. I was careful not to tell anyone about this struggle, because I thought that would make it more real, more difficult to forget.
Three years later I was still struggling. Health problems arose while I was on furlough and it was questionable whether I would be able to return to Laos. But I was determined to go back to the people God had called me to serve.
The stress was almost too much. The day I boarded the freighter to return, I had constant pain in my left arm and chest, yet I refused to admit it to anyone. I would not let any situation rob me of the privilege of serving God in Laos.
After a year back on the mission field, a combination of circumstances convinced me that I could not go on. I was having numerous health problems and felt I was not doing my share of the work. Yet my conscience was clear before God. I had not yielded to sin in any way. But I finally left Laos, a country that is still dear to my heart.
At that time I could not understand what was happening to me. I see now that it might have been simply a lack of faith to go on. Or it could be that God was allowing Satan to test me to the limit. No doubt I should have confided in someone and sought advice. But it was an intensely personal matter and I could not talk about it. Yet I knew God would guide me and lead me into some other work I could do for Him.
I never felt that anyone had mistreated me or criticized me. Even now my former coworkers are very patient and forgiving toward me. I still have good relations with the mission board.
Job maintained his faith and trust in God. He said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him" (Job 13:15).
God had allowed this attack on Job because He knew Job could pass the test. He knew that Job had a strong faith and would be victorious. However, God showed him that he needed an attitude change. Job was a righteous man, yet he knew little of the vast extent of God’s power and holiness. He needed humility.
Job was more interested in defending himself than he was in helping his friends. They offered all kinds of advice and some stern rebuke, but they were wrong. Job had not sinned.
Of course, Job knew he was a sinner by nature. He had offered blood sacrifices to God for himself and for his children, to atone for their sin. He believed that he had done all that God required of him. He knew he was not hiding any sin or disobedience.
Job simply needed an attitude change. He needed to see how great God really was. He needed humility, a revelation of how far he fell short of God’s holiness. Only then would he be able to pray for his friends and help them come nearer to God.
He had helped the needy and had fed the hungry. He had been diligent in his religious responsibilities. But he needed an attitude change before he could truly help his self-righteous friends.
We are much like Job. We may have right doctrine, absolute faith in Christ and in God’s Word. We have right actions. We attend worship and Bible study meetings and are not aware of any deliberate sin against God. But deep down, do we have a right attitude?
We are sometimes critical of others. We know we are sinners, saved by grace. But unconsciously we may be proud of our strong faith and our good deeds. We forget how great God is. Even more important, we have never realized how absolutely holy God is.
When we really listen to God and discover his power and perfection and purity, we see that we have nothing to boast of. Then we discover true humility. And only then can God use us to minister effectively to others.
Our quiet time each day is a time for attitude adjustment, as we read God’s Word and discover what God has done for us. Then many times a day we need to ask God to change our attitude so He can truly use us.
Sometimes it is really important to unburden your heart to a close friend. They may criticize you, as Job’s three friends did. But God often gives us helpful advice through our friends.
Whatever test you may be going through right now, make sure that you have no unconfessed sin hiding in your heart. Then trust God fully. He would not allow you to be tested to the limit unless He knew you could pass the test. Always remember that your heavenly Father knows your heart and He will bring you through to victory.
– Rosemary Watson
posted by Rosemary @ 8:45 AM
