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Christians, previously when I was going through a test from the Lord, He was using a very non-serious physical “health” issue.  To be honest, my eye was red, although it looked a little like pink-eye, it wasn’t.  After prayer, a natural home remedy (honey burns when put in your eye, not recommended), and some over the counter eye drops, the test remained.  I was certain at that point: it’s a test, from God.  So I waited, after a few more days with no change, I finally began to seek the Lord to reveal to me the meaning of this test.

The first thing God showed me, was that I was more concerned with the test being over than with what He wanted to show me through the test.  This point struck home because at the same time I was in a much bigger test from the Lord.  I was also more focused on the big test being over than what the Lord was trying to show me through it.

Christians, when God has us in times of testing, He has a purpose behind it, He is not trying to embarrass us, or shame us, He is trying to change us.  If we only focus on “getting out of the test”  we can often slow down or prolong the test, because we are not seeking out why we are being tested.  After I received this understanding, God took me to a verse He had shown me before, and I saw it now with new eyes (one still red at the time).  

Proverbs 29:19 A servant cannot be corrected by mere words, though he understands, he will not respond.  As a servant of God, I knew God wanted to change the way I looked at Him testing me, so why did He not just say so?  He tells that He must do something to get real change, merely telling us won’t change us.  Imagine a little toddler, you can tell them time and time again to avoid a hot stove, but unfortunately they most likely will finally learn when their hand comes in contact with that hot stove.  

What test has God put you through?  What test are you still in the middle of today?  As you look back at previous tests or look at your current ones, realize that God’s purpose is to change you.  He knows we won’t change by mere words, so situations, circumstances will come up, we will remember going through them, remember the pain, frustration, anxiety, fear, uncertainty.  God will remove things in our lives that are bad, put in things that are beneficial; always working EVERYTHING for our good and His glory.  So as I looked in the mirror, eye STILL red, I didn’t hope it went away.  I asked God to reveal what He still needs to show me through the test.  I embraced it, knowing it would soon be gone, but the lesson will last a lifetime, in Jesus name, Amen.

Israel was and is the Lord’s beloved.  In the old testament we see time and time again where God TOLD them to do this or that, we see them disobey and turn so easily. A couple of times they were exiled and this was God’s statement to them through Jeremiah, the Prophet:This is what the Lord says, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will see me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place which I carried you into exile.”  Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NIV)  God carried them into exile, to correct them when words didn’t work.  He knew what it would take for the correction He desired.

Another time God was correcting Israel, was in the wilderness: “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.  He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”  Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (NIV)

“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] ALL things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for GOOD to and for those who LOVE God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (AMP) (emphasis added)

written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2017