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The Purposes of God in Trials

God promises in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

The trial you are experiencing is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able. Have you ever doubted that? Have you ever said, "God, I can't take this?" The trial wouldn't be on you if you couldn't take it. Paul said that he sought the Lord three times for his trial to pass but God said, "My grace is sufficient for you." There is nothing wrong with praying to get out of the trial, but when the voice of God speaks, accept the promise as true; His grace is sufficient. Even Jesus prayed, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, Thy will be done."

Can you embrace the fact that the trial you're experiencing now is the will of God for you? Chastening is a trial of relationship and son-ship. When hard times come, we can't assume that we've done something wrong. Maybe we've done something right. Maybe it has nothing to do with what we've done right or wrong. There is a devil. We're living in the midst of a sin-governed world where there are adversities and hardships. In these times we need to watch out for Job's comforters who will say, "God is punishing you because of sin in your life." If people approach us that way, we must be careful not to respond as Job did and justify ourselves. Like Job, we need to learn the secret of putting our hand over our mouth knowing that these things are too high for us to comprehend. God is good and He is just.

In his trial, Job said, "I heard about God with the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes have seen Him!" Do you want to know what this trial is for? It is for you to see God. It is for you to become comfortable in His love and His justice, because He does all things well. This trial is for you to stand as Job did and say, "Though He slay me, I'm going to trust Him and serve Him. I don't understand everything that's going on. His ways are too high for me, but I know one thing. God is good and what I'm experiencing is for my good and God's glory. Even if it doesn't feel good, it will result in good!"

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

We get so short-sighted when the pressure is on. We want to fix it; we want the trial to go away. Instead, James says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). We are to pray for wisdom and understanding, not only why we are in the trial, but to understand the good that the trial is producing in us. Ask God for that comprehension, "Lord, what is this trial working in me?" People can counsel you, reprove you, rebuke you with Scripture, but nothing will move you like a trial can! God will get you on your knees. God will get you on your face. He chastens those whom He loves.

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