There is a difference between a temptation and a time of proving, a faith trial, or a test of faith…
The Lord tests the faith of His children for many good reasons, but a temptation is from the devil… ‘let no man say when he is tempted, that he is tempted of God’.
It is a good thing when the Lord tests our faith or when He proves us – The proving of the Lord produces patience and endurance, strong faith and strong character – it brings out our inner strength in Him and it establishes our ability in the Lord – the testing of our faith shows us that our faith is genuine and it draws us closer to the Lord.
James 1:2-4 (TPT) says, ‘When it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.’
1 Corinthians 10:13 (TPT) says, ‘We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.’
The Lord keeps His hand upon us in the midst of the testing of our faith like a parent keeps his hand on a child learning how to ride a bicycle without training wheels. He will never allow a test of faith, a trial or a time of proving from Him to be more than we can bear. He does give us things to do that are beyond our natural capability to grow our faith and to teach us how to supernaturally overcome things, but He will never allow His times of testing to break us. Along with every test of faith, God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously. In other words, He will allow you to be placed in the lion’s den so that you can overcome the lions as Daniel did, but just in case you do not rise up and exercise your faith, He provides a back door of escape to every lion’s den.
If you are in a test of faith right now, rejoice – the Lord has His hand on you! This test is not going to destroy you! You are either going to grow, get stronger and increase in the anointing, or the Lord will provide a way of safe escape. If you have to escape, then you will have another opportunity in the near future to overcome – if you have to escape, build yourself up in your most holy faith, in the Word and in the Lord… when you are fully ready and fully equipped, the Lord will allow you to re-take the test again, and again, and again, until you overcome. When you overcome, get ready for a new level! Rejoice when you face a faith test – faith tests always occur before graduations and graduations always precede promotions.
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Blessings on you, Nick
