Discipleship series #7 – A disciple responds positively to testing. “The time test”
By Pastor George Lehman
It’s really a trust test; from the time you prayed, till the answer comes. What do you do in the space of time?
“When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” – Job 23:10
Something beautiful happens in us when we respond well to a time test.
(We need to wait for God’s timing on issues of life)
Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. – If I’m not in faith I’m in bondage
Job 23:2-11 (Amp) – Even today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me. Would He plead against me with His great power? No, He would give heed to me. There the righteous [one who is upright and in right standing with God] could reason with Him; so I should be acquitted by my Judge forever. Behold, I go forward [and to the east], but He is not there; I go backward [and to the west], but I cannot perceive Him; On the left hand [and to the north] where He works [I seek Him], but I cannot behold Him; He turns Himself to the right hand [and to the south], but I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside.
We feel so intitled; God is not our bell boy.
There are so many pack-up Christians, a small crisis we pack-up. We want the breakthrough to land now, but God is still preparing the landing strip.
Psalm 139:23 (Msg) – Investigate my life O God, find out everything about me, cross-examine me and TEST me, get a clear picture of what I’m about.
Definition: In the time test, by all outward appearances, God does not seem to be fulfilling the word He gave to you!!
The time test tries your patience; forcing you to trust God to fulfil your call and spiritual development in His own time and way.
Purpose: The test is to give you an opportunity to grow in faith.
God has given each one of us a measure of trust and confidence to believe in Him for every detail of our lives.
Job 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things: No purpose of yours can be thwarted.”(Accomplished / Gedwarsboom)
The time test also purifies and motivates us to check our attitudes.
The truth is, if you find a path with no test, it’s probably a path that doesn’t lead anywhere important or very significant.
Man’s adversity is always God’s opportunity.
It’s during a time delay we can see how our own impure, selfish or proud motives and attitudes can cloud our desires and commitment before the Lord. They show what’s really in you.
God desires transparent motives and attitudes in each of us. He wants us to live what we say we truly believe.
What I have learnt the hard way, is in the time test, God will always prove Himself to be a miracle-working, faithful God – to those He has called into the service of His Kingdom. Whatever you are going through – it too will pass.
God never made a promise that was too good to be true. D.L. Moody
Luke 18:27 (Amp) – The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
You may trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust Him too much.
Be careful that you don’t try take matters in your own hands by being impatient. They inevitably lead to dead ends. The more haste, the less speed. Impatience is one big ‘get-ahead-ache’.
You never realize how patient you can be until the fellow who is arguing with you is your boss.
Patience is often bitter – but its fruit is sweet.
A biblical illustration – Abraham.
The time test at work Genesis 12-18.
Abraham at 75 years of age – God called him out of Haran to Canaan.
God promises him he would possess all of Canaan. But God promised Abraham that he would have a child of his own.
At the age of 86 he had a son Ishmael, through Hagar, an Egyptian maid. How many Ishmaels have you created in your life that today you still struggle because of impatience and taking things into your own hands?
Not until Abraham was 100 did God bring His promise to pass when Isaac was born.
It took 25 years before he received God’s promise of a son to be his heir. (We can’t even wait a week or a month!)
We could talk about David, it took about 15 years for him to become King
What about Joseph? Psalm 105:19 (NLT) “Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested his Character.”
The devil wants you to think there’s nothing more permanent than your temporary situation.
Time tests reveal what we truly believe and who we really are. They introduce you to yourself.
Can I encourage you, your time test may be lasting but it is not everlasting.
In times of testing some people grow wings, others buy crutches.
If you will trust Him, your problem will be your promotion.
-o0o-
