“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV)
In high school, test days were usually on Friday every week of the semester. Back when I was an undergraduate, prior to online instructional methodology, most college classes consisted of a mid-term and a final; only two tests the whole semester! Time passed by. About five years ago when teaching classes at the university, I used that high school practice of weekly tests and still had the mid-term and the final. I called the weekly tests “quizzes” for the students’ perceptions and perhaps ease their anxiety, but the quizzes consisted of no less than 10 essay questions. Sounds like “tests” to me, but they were quizzes, different from the weekly tests were not slotted or scheduled until the last session of the week. They were randomly scheduled to correspond with the completion of a chapter. One semester, at the start of the class, I heard one student telling another student a “you need to know” or perhaps better stated, “a warning.” Now this took place before I had even started my cheerful welcome and introductory, warm communication that was characterized by personal stories and comedy that only I felt was funny. When I overheard the warning, it was before I had passed out the multi-page syllabus and rambled on about the course objectives. This is what I heard, “My friend had him last semester. Expect tests! He gives them frequently.” At the end of the class, the student who had received the “warning” apparently went to the Dean’s Office that was across the hall to get a drop add form. I signed it and sent him on his way. I asked why he was dropping the course. He gave me some made up excuse, but really I believe two words were resonating in his young mind, “Expect Tests!”
In life we will face temptations that are orchestrated by Satan to see if we will do wrong. However, as you might have heard me say before, simultaneously or singularly, there are times where we will be tested by the Lord to see if we will do that which is right. We could look perhaps at Job to confirm if I’m not right about it, but let’s make it personal and look at you!
When the customer service person refused to give you a cash refund for a gift you were returning and he/she would not budge from the policy of giving you an in-store credit, you did not create a scene that would have crashed your witness, right? You did not call out any words that did not match your church tee shirt with a Scriptural message on it, right? When you were going through a tough time or as you are getting through a rough time, you stayed connected with God as opposed to being disconnected from Him, His word, and His church, right? When it was a decision to be made when facing a dilemma, you choose to trust God, rather than yourself, didn’t you? And when your blessings just seemed to be shrinking, you stayed optimistic knowing that the Lord will work it out, correct? Expect tests! Everywhere you go and in every facet of life as well as in every public place or private place; in town or out of town, “Expect tests!” And go further then expectation! Go as far as the execution of your faith in God and maintain your excellent spiritual grades, achieving high standards as you past your tests. If you have not had a test yet today, guess what! The tests are coming! Expect tests! But pass them and give God the credit for being your unseen test partner. Now don’t fret! Know that to depend on Him for help in your tests is absolutely fair. Take on the childhood expression we used to say, “There is nothing that I and my God can’t do!” Expect tests! But handle your business my friend! Don’t drop out of the course; the course you must run with endurance, fixing your eyes on Jesus! Score high! Be able to borrow from the Apostle Paul’s words: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.” Be blessed!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 Good News Translation)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King