Will we pass or fail the test?

The other day as I was praying about a situation that has been on my prayer list for a loooong time, I sensed something in my spirit. Hard to explain but it was kinda like a distance. Almost a bit of standoffishness. I was perplexed but not sure what I was sensing so I moved on.

Later in the day, I was reading a sermon by John Piper and one of his subpoints pierced my heart. This was it. This was what the Holy Spirit was revealing to me earlier. I have not settled it completely yet - so far I’ve been unable to package it neatly and set on the shelf of successes. But I want to share with you in case you need to wrestle with it as well.

Piper’s message was from the book of James. He was encouraging us to stand firm in trials and to remain faithful in temptations. The premise was that God’s tests are designed to lead us into supreme happiness, not to make us stumble or struggle. Here is where God led me after reading what Piper had to say…..

James 1:12

Blessed [deeply and lastingly happy] is the man who remains steadfast under trial [testing], for when he has stood the test [been proven like gold through fire] he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

We learn from this passage that God uses tests/trials/afflictions is to make us deeply and supremely happy. These hardships provide the means for God proves us fit to receive the crown of life. Piper says “If we really believe this is how God is fitting us for eternal life — for eternal joy — would we not say, “I am blessed”? These are reasons for me to be deeply and lastingly happy.”

Tracking with him pretty well up to this point. Here is where God’s word pierced my heart. Piper poses the key question for us to ask about trials - what is being tested?

Not our faith or trust in God. Not our ability to endure. Not our theology. Nope.

It’s our love. Our love for God.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (1:12)

Those of us who love God will get the crown of life. That love is tested and proven through trials. If we ultimately pass the test, we get the crown. Pass/fail is determined by this: going through the fire of testing and loving God more on the other side. What’s being tested and refined and proven is love. Love for God. Valuing God. Enjoying God. Treasuring God. Being satisfied in God.

The Spirt probed my heart. This thing I keep praying about - am I going to grow deeper in my love for God even if He doesn’t give me what I am asking Him for? Do I love Him more than His gracious answers to my prayers?

Don’t hear what I am not saying - we are not wrong to ask Him for the desires of our heart. In fact, He invites us to do exactly that! We are not wrong to persevere prayer, asking Him for the same thing while waiting for His answer. He urges us to do that very thing!

But the question God seems to be asking me is am I going to love Him for HIMSELF? Regardless of whether His answer is yes or no, will my love for Him prove strong?

The book of James tells us that the suffering produced by trials (including the disappointment of God’s “no” answers) are designed by God to test and refine and prove the reality of our love for Him. Trials reveal the truth of what’s in our hearts. And if there is “gunk” in there, trials are the fire of opportunity for God to burn it away.

But it’s not automatic.

God gives us a choice of how to respond to trials. His Spirit reveals what’s in our heart and invites us to repent from the sin of loving something more than God. He waits patiently for us to ask Him to supply what we need, to transform our hearts to more fully love the only One who is worthy, the only One who can satisfy what we long for.

Waiting for His answers gives us to opportunity to see what is in our hearts and to press in to Him in our need. First step towards passing the test.

Next is to ask Him to help us see WHO He is. To see His beauty and His worth.

Then, to trust. To lean into Him in faith that whatever He does for us is GOOD. That we don’t know what is best for us. And, to quote Henry Blackaby, to pray this way - “God, here are my requests. The desires of my heart. But if you have something better in mind, cancel my request. I trust You.”

So, I’ll keep praying. I’ll keep looking to the Only One who can supply what I long for. And I’ll ask Him to help me keep a check on my heart. I want to pass the test with fully proven love for Him!

Raising kids who are strong

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9


As a parent, this is surely one of my most loved verses. I want my children (and myself!) to be bold, confident, resilient, brave. And I know that God wants that, too. He spoke this directive to Joshua as he prepared to take over command of the Israelites from Moses. Moses earlier had exhorted the people with these same words, repeated them to Joshua, and then the Lord Himself said it twice in 9 short verses. I think we are supposed to heed this - be strong and have courage.


I cling to this verse in parenting on at least two levels - one, to address my own fears and inadequacies (of which there are many!) and two, to encourage my children to be strong. Not strength as the world offers (which is usually false bravado and an attempt to mask insecurities). Not a foolhardy ignorance of danger or reality. But strong in the Lord. Mighty in spirit. Not afraid. Not fragile. Able to withstand difficulties and persecution and disappointment. And to withstand it well.


What does it mean to be strong, to be mighty in spirit? And how can we develop this in our children? And in ourselves! Let's unpack that verse and see...First, the context. The Israelites are about to begin the conquest of Canaan, the land God had promised to them. They had been redeemed from the slavery of Egypt and were on the brink of possessing the blessing of the rest of that redemption. But it was obviously not going to be a walk in the park. There were geographical challenges (large bodies of water to cross and a desert to endure) not to mention the fact that the land was already occupied and possessing it would require displacing those who were there.


Plenty of reason for fear for sure


Yet God repeatedly instructs them not to. How is that possible? Were they (and are we) just supposed to deny reality, stuff down our feelings and march stoically off into the unknown?


Not at all.


The keys to a life of courage, of living without fear or discouragement or dismay, are found right there in the text. Let's see what they are...


The first keys I see that God provided for the Israelites are the same ones He makes available to His people today. Sandwiched in between His two commands not to fear...verses 7 & 8, we see


being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success


1. Obedience to His commands
2. Consistent meditation on His Word


So, if we want to be strong and courageous, if we want to grow kids that are mighty in spirit, we must know that the foundation to those qualities is to obey what He says to do and to feast ourselves continually on His Word.


And the other keys I see to "fearing not" are found in the definitions of those Hebrew words - "be strong" and "courage". The word that we translate as "strong" is a word that the Hebrews used frequently for construction, for building. Its meaning is deeper than "strong" - it carries with it the idea of being attached firmly to something, to be held fast, preserved. Hmmm, sounds like God is explaining to us here that our strength comes from holding fast to Him, being bound tightly to His Word. Oh yes!
And the word for courage is equally as rich. It means more than just being brave - it conveys the idea of wisdom and virtue and excellence. SO, "courage" is more than an attitude - it is also action of righteousness!


As I have prayed for my kids through the years to be mighty in Spirit, God has consistently laid out practical ways to cultivate this attribute. Encourage obedience to HIM, not merely to parents. (That is the basis of obeying all authority!) Memorize and meditate on His Word. Talk about His Word all through the day....all through our lives. Exhort one another to hold fast to His truth, particularly in dark times, when the light is hard to see. And sow seeds of righteousness. Over and over and over. Do the right thing. Do the kind thing, the faithful thing, the generous thing, the gracious thing, the joyful thing, the loving thing, the forgiving thing. Over and over and over.


There are plenty of things in life to be afraid of. Plenty of things that seem to threaten our security and our well-being. But God wants His kids to face them all with confidence and courage.

And He provides the keys for us to do so.


Will we take Him at His Word?