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Scripture for the day: Exodus 20:18,20 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off....And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”
Thought for the day: In college it’s final exams, those mammoth tests given at the end of each course. They are, of course, designed to determine if the student has retained enough information to qualify as one who has mastered the material. Graduation, with its scrap of parchment paper conferring one degree or another upon the student, is the ultimate goal, but there are a lot of quizzes, tests and research papers to be endured on the journey.
At the Olympics it’s that single competitive event. There are great parades and fireworks and ceremony associated with it all and they are always magnificent. But then the athletes will get down to the serious business of competing with one another for those all-important medals. The Olympics are always a fun thing for most of us to watch, though we could probably use the exercise rather than sitting to watch others get it.
In order for the competitors to get into the games, it was necessary, over the four years leading up to the Olympics, to compete in lesser events that would determine if they had what it takes to compete at the Olympic level. Each step of the way they were tested against others in their sport and against themselves to prove their mettle. Only the best of the best survived to be included in the elite of the athletic world. In our Christian walk we experience much the same trials and tests.
The example in our text for today is only one of many we find throughout God's Word. Consistently He has tested those who would desire to follow Him. In such a simple thing as collecting manna in the desert He tested the children of Israel to see if they would obey His commands. I'm sure the prohibition on collecting more than one day's provision of manna (Exodus 16) made no sense to the people. After all, there was plenty scattered all over the ground. Why not take enough for a few days and not waste time out there every morning? But the prohibition wasn't about time saving; it was about obedience and trust.
In similar ways God proved each of His servants that He called. Each one received some instruction from the Lord that seemed to make no sense at the time. Each one had to choose at that moment whether they would trust God and rely on Him for the outcome or if they would follow their own instincts and do what "made sense." When Jesus came up out of the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, He immediately went into the wilderness where He was proved and tested. Did He have the ability to choose wrongly when tempted by Satan? I believe He did as He was fully human as well as fully God. Without the potential of sin, He could not sympathize with those of us who are only human. So God tested and proved the human side of Jesus, just as He does each of us.
It's not always easy or fun to be put to the test but it is always for our benefit. James reminds us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). And Peter reminds us “You have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith … may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-8). When we come through each test we'll be just a little stronger and more confident in our relationship with Him. The soul who has completely sold out to Jesus Christ, the Christian who has been filled with the Holy Spirit may experience trials and testings regularly. He or she isn't immune to temptation, or to sin, but that person may rest assured that the same God who allows us to be tempted provides strength to stand up; the same God who tests His people, encourages them through the test. And Satan hates it. He knows that those who are tested and hold fast to their faith, are the most dangerous adversaries he has.
Remember, the very fact that Satan is still after you shows that he hasn't gotten you.
Now got take on your world. - Bill