Many of you might think that it’s the Bible that tests you, it’s not. The Bible was written as an example for you to live by. What tests you is if you will believe what the Lord has spoken to you. Let me give you some examples of what I am talking about.
Lets look at Abram. He was promised s son in his old age. Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” 19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” Nothing is impossible for God. Genesis 21:1 And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. The Abraham was told to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord promised that Abrahams descendants would be in covenant through Isaac but offer Isaac to the Lord. Abraham would not deny the Lord and offered Isaac. The Lord knew that Abraham feared the Lord and passed the test and Isaac was to be set free.
I want us to look at Joseph. He has a couple of dreams from the Lord. His brothers and his father, Jacob, didn’t believe his dream. His father pondered, but there is no indication that he believed him. Now what the Lord had shown Joseph was about to be tested if Joseph would believe what he was shown and follow through to the end. Joseph was tested with being sold as a slave and put in prison. Psalm 105:16 Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. 17 He sent a man before them— Joseph—who was sold as a slave. 18 They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. 19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him. 20 The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions, 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom. Joseph passed the test and didn’t waver from what he was shown.
What has the Lord spoken to you? Has He made a promise? For me, He said that my wife and I will be back together and it will be better than before. Now I am being tested to see if I will believe Him and go through all the obstacle that has been set before me. There is no indication that this will happen, but this is the testing of your faith. You are to walk by faith, not sight. Look at the parable of sower explained. When the Lord speaks to you, the enemy tries to steal that word which was sown. Matthew 13:18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” The enemy has come against my wife, my family, finances and even my health, but I WILL NOT move from what He told me. This is what faith looks like. Enjoy the show.