Tried

“That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:7.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials [when you undergo all manner of temptations (Norw.)], knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3.

Temptations are a test of our faith. To be tried is truly grace from God. Trials have two purposes. We can learn this from the story of Job. After going to and fro on the earth, Satan came and presented himself before the Lord. His aim has always been to get people to forsake God, and, alas, he has been all too successful. God had one man, however, who was trustworthy. He asked Satan if he had considered His servant Job. Satan had, but he did not regard Job as anyone special. And he said that under the circumstances, it was hardly surprising that Job had not forsaken God; after all, He had put a hedge around him and had protected him in all his ways. But God trusted Job; you could say that He made a wager with Satan that Satan would be unable to make Job forsake God. Satan did his best and was even able to win over Job’s wife; but Job himself remained unshakable.

If Job had only known what was really happening, he would no doubt have borne all his afflictions joyfully, but he was totally in the dark. That is precisely why his trial was so heavy. But Job was faithful in his heart. Although he didn’t understand what was going on and felt that his trials were unjust, he refused to forsake God, and so God won the wager. He convinced Satan that He had one man on earth that Satan could not control, even though he had been allowed to do whatever he wanted with Job.

We see how little it takes for most people to forsake God in their hearts. Satan has only to offer them a boyfriend or girlfriend, more money or human honor. Often he only has to touch their possessions or cause them to be unjustly treated, or allow something to happen that they cannot understand. Great is the multitude that has forsaken God in their hearts. Their faith has failed, and Satan has rejoiced.

You who have failed and fallen away, if you had only understood what was at stake, what the conflict was all about, then you would have rejoiced in your trials.

But God also has many who have been faithful. Satan has done all he could but has achieved nothing. He was even allowed to take their lives, but still they did not fail God. They praised Him in the face of execution, they praised Him in poverty, in sickness, and in adversity when they understood nothing of what was happening. Their tried faith will be to the praise, honor, and glory of God at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Job’s trial had another purpose: to cleanse and refine him and to open his eyes to God’s omnipotence and loving care. Listen to what Job said at the end of his trials, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You . . . . Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know . . . . I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6.

As every sincere soul will discover, trials open our eyes to many things that need to be cleansed from our lives; but if a person hardens his heart, he adds sin to sin. The godly emerge from their trials as gold from the melting pot. 1 Pet. 4:12-13. Their eyes are opened to God’s love and care.

“Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.” Job 42:12.