PASSING THE TEST

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

"Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was."

Exodus 20:20-21

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Before moving on with our study of Exodus, chapter 20, I wanted to revisit verses 20 and 21 because there is one other matter to address beside trusting God and not being afraid as a result. This is the matter of testing.

Look again at the words from God spoken to the Israelite people through Moses:

"God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

This verse offers us a great deal of insight and wisdom into how we are to live each and every day as God’s children and Christ’s disciples for here’s a spiritual truth we need to keep in mind.

God is watching and assessing us every day.

Indeed, as we awake and journey through life day by day, we face a multitude of experiences, some good and some bad, some requiring us to make decisions, some requiring us to react and respond, some requiring us to love, some requiring us to listen, some requiring us to help others, I could go on and on, but you get the point.

No day goes by that we aren’t presented with circumstances and situations that will require us to act, speak, or think in whatever way we choose.

So how will we choose to behave in the midst of whatever our situation might be?

The answer to the question is largely dependent on one’s principles, attitudes and beliefs, and these are dictated by whether someone is living for the world’s ways or the Lord’s.

If one lives for the world’s ways, then they are operating in Satan’s domain and the litmus test of compliance with these ways is found in how often a person gives into and acts on the world’s sinful enticements.

Conversely, God assesses people by how well they remain obedient to His word, will and way. No way of the world is sanctioned by God and although we, believers who are His children, are in the world, we aren’t expected to be of it. Rather, our Lord has called us to a higher standard and way of living that will always run counter to the world’s ways. And if the fear and respect for our God is truly in us, then we won’t dare give into temptation.

In other words, "the fear of God will be with (us) to keep (us) from sinning."

Need some reinforcing scripture verses to support the ideals in this message?

Consider these words from the first chapter of James:

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." Vv.12-15

 Yes, life is challenging, many times so tough that we’re not sure what to do, but in those times, we need to remember that God is with us and tells us this over and over again:

"Do not be afraid."

Friends, while we are living in the here and now, we can’t afford to turn our minds from the truth that we aren’t living our best life yet. Not even close. For while this temporary, earthly existence is hard and can bring a lot of suffering and heartache, a bright future that is free of any and all afflictions still is ahead. Our belief in Jesus assures this as death loses its sting and the grave gives way to salvation and eternity, the “crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" as stated by James, Jesus’ half brother.

My brothers and sisters, is this not good news for us today?

We have a God who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, a God that has told us that He would never give us a burden we couldn’t bear, a God who has told us that nothing is impossible with Him, and a God who is always with us, loving us unconditionally as a parent does their child. And if God is with us, what in life can stand against us? For we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:31b. 37)

So what is our appropriate response to this God who protects us, comforts us, heals us, guides us, loves us and, yes, tests us.

How about this plea from the Psalmist David, a man the scriptures tell us was after God’s own heart:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

Putting the Lord first in all we do and placing our full trust and faith in Him will always put our hearts in a place where they will always pass His testing.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.