09052020 Test of Faith

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who is worth following. There are people who doubt that, but those who have sincerely done it know the truth.

Lesson #4. Suffering is a test of our faithfulness to God.

"Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face" (1:9-11).

Satan knew exactly what he wanted and expected to have happen when he tested Job. Satan thought the trial would be so great and the personal loss so devastating that Job would reject God. Not just backslide, not just walk away, but actually turn against God. He repeated the same expectation after the first round of trials did not have their intended result. "But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face" (2:5).

Was this just some misguided and perverted thinking of the devil? Or is turning from God something that people actually consider? Is such a consideration common in trials, or is it so rare that few people would do it? Consider this: "Then his wife said unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die" (2:9). Job's wife did not bear as much of the trial as Job did, but she was ready to reject God and to encourage him to do so.

We all know the sad truth, because we have seen it happen. How many people that we went to high school with (assuming they were professing Christians) are still walking with God? How many people have we gone to church with over the years who have since rejected God? How many people have you ministered to who at some point turned their backs on Christianity? The stories are staggering. For many of those people, the ultimate reason was suffering. People refuse to follow a God whom they accuse of treating them harshly. Their faith quits.

New Testament writers also acknowledge the danger within trials, the potential for them to squelch faith. James refers to the "trying of your faith" (James 1:3). Peter talks about "the trial of your faith ... though it be tried with fire" (I Peter 1:7). When faith is tested and put to the fire, not always does it come through unscathed. Sometimes it fails.

But when people are unswervingly dedicated to God, when they love Him with all their being, when they are absolutely committed to Him, when they are convinced that there is no other way, then their faith passes the test. They remain faithful to God. Even if everything is destroyed. Even if they die in the process. Falling away is by no means inevitable. Job didn't. Neither did these believers: "And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented ... they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth" (Hebrews 11:35-39).

These heroes of faith followed God to the death if necessary. They were human, and undoubtedly they were tempted to leave God, but they didn't. They persevered. What does God say about people who loyally follow Him to that degree? "(Of whom the world was not worthy) ... and these all, having obtained a good report through faith" (Hebrews 11:38-39).

What an amazing testimony that God gives of faithful men, of those who steadfastly follow Him in spite of intense trial! He approves them! He esteems that this wicked world is not even worthy of their presence. God takes great pleasure in those who pass the test and remain faithful.

It's easy to follow God when everything is going well, but if our faith is real, we will continue to follow Him even in trouble. Why? Because we don't follow God just so that we can receive visible blessings; we follow Him because we have made a decision to have a relationship with Him. We follow Him because there is no other path. When we have that level of belief and commitment, we can say with Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

Life can be very hard. Trials can be intense. Our faith might be battered. We might be tempted to draw back from God. But is that the reputation we want? That we turned back in the day of trouble? Surely not. How our hearts would thrill to hear the words of God, "She gained my approval because her faith endured." Remember that it is a test of faith. Don't let Satan win. Not even the smallest victory. Faith in God is always well-placed.

May God bless you this week and give you grace and strength to follow Him wherever the pathway may lie.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

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