| Overcoming Tests and Trials |  |
 |
 |
|
I would like to share with you some insights that I believe will help you make sense out of the tests and trials you face in your daily life. It's important to examine what the Bible says about tests that others faced and use them as a spiritual guide for your own life. One of the best examples comes from the life of Jesus as described by the disciple Matthew. In Matthew 4:1-4, Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness:
I want you to notice two major things from this passage of scripture. Firstly, he was led into the wilderness. Secondly, He valued the spoken word of God over the blessing of God (the provision of bread for food). Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit In this passage, verse 1 says that Jesus was "led up by the Spirit into the wilderness." Why was He led into the wilderness? Because he was being tested. God allowed the enemy to test him. Why was he being tested? Because He had greater challenges in his future. If Jesus couldn't make it through a forty day fast, how could he make it through being betrayed, being wrongly accused, and being tortured and left to die in public? We are going to be tested in our lives - because we will have greater challenges ahead. When tests occur, remember that Jesus was led into the wilderness. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will lead you into a difficult place, and this is okay. These are seasons of growth. Testing is about preparation for the future. If we give up easily now, what will we do in the midst of the greatest storm of our life? Just remember that you'll have the grace you need. God will give you as much grace as you need for every challenge. Additionally, the greater the challenge, the greater the blessing! Jesus received the promotion of a lifetime, to sit at the right hand of God in Heaven. Likewise, God has prepared great blessings just for you! 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) says "...No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Jesus valued the spoken word of God over the blessing of God At the end of Jesus' testing process (which Matthew 4:1 says was forty days and forty nights), Jesus is quite hungry. Perhaps you've felt this way during one of the tests that God has allowed you to go through. The devil attempts to use this time of weakness to his advantage. In Matthew 4:3 it says "Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' " However, the response Jesus gave illustrates a key principle that you and I need to embrace so that we will pass our tests:
There are two kinds of "word" in the Bible. There is the logos (or written word of God), and there is the Rhema (or spoken word of God). Whenever you come across a verse that says "word" in it, you need to find out which one it's talking about, because the meanings are different. This verse is talking about Rhema, the spoken word of God. Jesus fasted for the same reason that you and I do - to hear the spoken word of God, to tune out of the natural world and tune into our supernatural source. Jesus gave up something natural in order to receive something spiritual. Jesus was seeking the Provider instead of the Provision. You and I must regularly ask ourselves what we are seeking. Are we seeking the Provider or the Provision? Jesus would not use his power outside of God's spoken word I want you to notice that Jesus had the ability to solve his situation. The devil knew this, that's why in verse 3, he says to Jesus: "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Jesus had the ability to turn the stones into bread. There was something he had the power to do, but he did not use that power outside of the spoken word of God. What I want you to see is that just because you have the power to change your situation does not mean that you're supposed to. You need to hear what God is telling you to do. Don't miss it! You have to value the spoken word above the Blessing of God. Whenever there's lack or hunger in your life, you have to look beyond the problem and ask God: "What are you trying to show me in this? Don't let me miss it Father. Speak to me!" The answer to your situation may not be the most obvious answer:
You may be encountering a crisis right now. God wants you to be aware of your heart. He wants to see if you will do something to fix your problem that's outside of His spoken word. It doesn't matter what you're going through, God has a supernatural answer. There's no situation that God doesn't have an answer for. There is a living, breathing, spoken word from the throne room of Heaven just for you that is fresh, and creative. It's something new, something that you're not capable of dreaming up on your own. You will know it is from God when you can see your situation in a brand new way - in a Holy way. God can give you a word that will completely change your mindset overnight if you'll seek Him as your provider. Proverbs 15:3 says "...a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" I encourage you today to release your own situations to God in a new way. Ask God to reveal your heart to you, so you can pass the test you're experiencing. Once you pass the test, you will receive the provision you need for your situation. Don't give up! You could be moments away from breakthrough! From "What Are You Seeking", by Jon Oral Nash, copyright 2006. Used by permission of Jon Oral Nash Ministries, Pittsford, New York, |
Jon Oral Nash, MBA, is the grandson of Rev. Oral Roberts, founder of Oral Roberts University and Oral Roberts Ministries. He comes from a family of real estate developers, bank owners / presidents, and people of great vision, as well as Pentecostal and Charismatic ministers on both sides of the family. 