Testing, Testing 1,2,3....

Wednesday July 27, 2011

Today's Passage: Matthew 4

Memory Verse: Matthew 4:10

Testing, testing 1, 2, 3!  Doing a sound check before praise and worship can be hit and miss sometimes.  We can rely so much on technology that it often comes back to bite us.  Our sound director (bless his heart) is stuck with the task of setting the sound for a whole group of people (and instruments), and when he's done, we test him.  Tests are producers of great anxiety for some.  But, if we use them the way God wants us to, we can see our purpose from His perspective.

A test is defined as a means by which an assessment is derived.  Essentially, it is the way one finds out what someone (or something) has or knows.  We immediately identify tests with teachers and doctors.  Teachers use them to find out if the students are learning.  Doctors use them to find out if the body's working, or, if the medicine's healing.  God, on the other hand, uses test in a slightly different way.  His definition of test is better described this way: the means by which the presence, quality, and/or genuineness is determined.  See, in reference to most teachers, you can still pass the class if you fail a test.  And you can fail a doctor's test and still live.  However, failing God's tests can be dangerous.  We can fool teachers but we can't fool God.  Get it?  All we have to do for the teacher is "act" the part and do the required seat work (go through the motions), but acting won't convince God of anything.  It's the decisions we make in the heat of the moment that determines if we're ready for the next level or not.  You can't attend enough church services to convince God.  You can't sing enough songs to trick Him.  It's what comes out of you when you're confronted with the opportunity to sin or stand that matters.  In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus was tested by the devil.  The test was administered in 3 phases.  We'll call them Faith, Pride, and Lust.  Part 1 of the test challenged Jesus to either remain on His fast, or turn the stones into bread (in order to eat).  Ah, I bet that bread would've tasted so good, especially after a 40-day fast.  But Jesus stood on the belief that God's word is what nourishes us.  Meaning, we walk by faith, not sight.  Part 2 challenged Jesus to throw Himself off a cliff to see if God would leave His throne for a hasty rescue.  Mature Christians have to stop creating problems in the hopes of making themselves relevant in ministry.  Answer to part 2, don't "fall" so easily for anything or anyone, stand only for God.  In part 3, the devil tried to use the lust for power and possession to lure Jesus away.  However, Jesus knew that power belongs to God.  The devil was offering Him something that he himself did not possess.

Finally, we have to change our mindsets about the "tests" of life.  Testing the microphones before singing doesn't offend our sound director (he's a great guy).  As a matter of fact, he requires it because he realizes if there's no test, how will we know the sound will be present and of genuine quality?  If you don't have tests in your life, how will God know that about you?  Be Blessed....

Prayer: Father, this life gets difficult sometimes.  But I rest in You because Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.  Therefore, I choose to stand on Your Word.  No matter what challenges I face, I know trusting in You will get me through it.  You are all I need to get through this life.  So draw me ever so closely to You, in Jesus' name, Amen.