How To Stand Firm When Your Faith Is Being Tested

How To Stand Firm When Your Faith Is Being Tested (James 1:2-3)
 
This morning’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study. You can view this current study in its entirety by visiting Bible Study link below.
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James 1:2-3, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
 
God tests. Satan tempts. The same situation can be both a test from God and a temptation from Satan as in the case of Adam and Eve in the garden, and Jesus in the wilderness. It's by understanding the purpose behind a trial that we see the difference. Satan tempts us to show we're failures and fakes. While Satan wants to destroy us through testing, God has higher purposes for His tests. Philippians 1:6, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: God tests us to develop our faith, unearth problem areas, and prove we're true believers who won't give up in the crunch. It can be compared to the unveiling of a new car. While pastoring in central Mississippi, we lived near a Nissan plant off I-55 near Jackson, MS. On several occasions I saw workers who would test drive the cars through rigorous tests to prove it is ready for the dealership. Nissan wants to prove the car's worth or at least reveal areas of weakness that still need work back at the factory. The same thing happens to us. Temptation from Satan is meant to fail us. A test from God is meant to free us and help us soar at maximum performance.
 
As we study Scripture, we often find that God's chosen went through different degrees of tests and usually one ultimate test. Noah learned of it as he built the ark. God sent Abraham to the mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac. Jacob experienced it as he wrestled with the angel of the Lord. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness. Jonah faced it in the belly of the fish. Jesus faced Gethsemane and, beyond it, the cross. Why are there so many of these ultimate tests in Scripture? To instruct us so that when we face similar tests we will triumph. It’s been said, A faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted. All through the Bible those who God used greatly were always first tested. Every Christian will face a difficult test at some point. It will be a test prescribed to you.
 
Questions to Consider:

• Are you in the midst of trials and perplexities?
• Do others notice your joy in spite of your suffering?

 
Points to Ponder:

• God often performs His greatest work through our suffering.
• How we respond to our sufferings speaks volumes of our faith to God in the trials.

 
PRAYER: LORD, thank You for helping me to see that there is a purpose for pain I endure. I understand   that You are using hard times to refine my conduct and my character. I accept this trial as from You and for my good rather than resisting it. I can trust You because You love me. In Jesus name Amen!
 
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