Our Seventeenth 4th Day
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May the Lord's Peace be with you! (For some odd reason, I always type "Peach" and then have to correct it to say "Peace". So, if I every say "May the Lord's Peach be with you", you'll know what I mean.)
Test vs. Temptation.
I got thinking today when reading about the Israelites in the desert and Moses was about to go before God on Mount Sinai. God told Moses that he was about to test the Israelites. And I thought, "Hmmm, why would God test us?" I thought about what testing does. It makes us better at what we are doing (in addition to evaluating how well we do something). You can practice and practice, but the actual test makes us better than all the practice. I used to mountain bike and thought I was pretty good at negotiating obstacles, riding fast, etc. But not until I rode in a race (which was my test), did I learn more than I could have in a dozen "practice" rides. Practice is a necessary preparation, but the test is what makes us strong.
Then it occurred to me that temptation is like a test, but the difference is temptation is meant to destroy. Testing is meant to strengthen; temptation is meant to weaken. God never tempts us, He tests us. Satan is the Great Tempter, the Father of Lies, the Accuser. Satan's temptation is intended to destroy, either the truth, relationships, peace, etc. God tested the Israelites in the desert. But when Moses was on the mountain, I'm sure Satan took the opportunity to tempt the Israelites into sin. God challenged the Israelites to remain steadfast, but they failed the test, giving into the temptation to define God in the form of a golden calf (probably about the time God was issuing Commandment #2--no idols, graven images, etc.). (Isn't it interesting that the people formed the golden calf from their wealth, the gold they had with them. How much do we still worship wealth?)
Throughout the Bible, God is always testing those He loves. He must love me a bunch!
Now, may the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
YBIC,
Bill
posted by JettaRed at 11:22 PM
1 Comments:
How interesting that the daily message for today (October 7, 2005) from Truth for Life addressed this very issue of God testing us. You can read it for yourself here: http://www.truthforlife.org/daily.php?date=10-07.
Here's what it says:
"October 7, 2005
WHY HAVE YOU DEALT ILL WITH YOUR SERVANT?
NUMBERS 11:11
Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to test our faith. If our faith is worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: The imitation gem dreads being touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith that can only trust God when friends are true, the body is healthy, and the business profitable; but it is true faith that rests in the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, the body is ailing, spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father's face is hidden. A faith that can say, in the deepest trouble, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him"1 is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the graces of His people, who are His own handiwork. When "suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope,"2 the Lord is honored by these growing virtues. We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched, nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress, nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten, nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not completely consumed. The wisdom and power of God are discovered by the trials through which His children are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shade in the picture to bring out the beauty of the light. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will peace not be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after labor? Will the recollection of past sufferings not serve to enhance the bliss of the glorified? There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation; let us think upon it all day long."
"Devotional material is taken from "Morning and Evening," written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth for Life with written permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers."
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