Testing, Faith, and Hope

 "When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 25:10)

How is it that we are tested and come out as gold? Perhaps it's because when we are tested, we learn the things that lie within our souls that we need to surrender to God. As a result we are better than we were before the trial because we've gained self-understanding. When we are tested, it reveals the true nature of who we are. Trials and challenges show us what we are really made of. 

"You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip." (Psalms 17:3-5)

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart." (Psalms 26:2)

"For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined, You brought us into the net you laid affliction on our backs, You have caused me to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But you brought us out to rich fulfillment." (Psalms 66:10-11)

"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 and complete work in you, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:2-5)

"My brethren take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:10,11)

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:1) 

The Lord intends to reveal to us through our trials that He is very compassionate and merciful. The tribulations grow and make us better. We gain perseverance, character, and hope. In spite of suffering, there are lessons to be learned. In spite of the suffering, we can trust that "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all his ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He." (Deut 32:4) 

I'm so thankful for these truths. For all of these things, I am thankful.