Hepzibah

Trust is the key word in any relationship, it implies that there is honesty, confidence, reliability between the parties involved. Same holds for our relationships with God, we see Him as reliable and honest, likewise, He also want to say same for us in things He confronts us with . Part of out trust in Him, is that His thought towards us are always good ( Jeremiah 29:11) , one may then, wonder why does He wants to trust us with troubles. God confronts His children with problems, trials and challenges for many reasons and one of it is that He wants to test the levels of our faith, endurance, patience, perseverance, maturity and more importantly, the sincerity of our relationship with Him,that is not one- sided , that we truly love Him just as He does and be reassured that no trial or problems will affect our faith and relationship with Him . It’s a test of mutual love.

The testing of God comes like an examination that we are unprepared for, it has no pre- syllabus nor a time set( for starting and ending) , it’s of no unique setting or patterns and in most cases no past questions papers for reference. It comes in different forms and various types, small, severe afflictions (Isaiah 48:10) and extreme cases directly from satan ( Job 2:7). Regardless of the source and form, Can God Trust You With the Problems? With the Trials? Are you fit to pass the test? Can you face the trials and the problem without complaining? Can you face the trials as advised by James, consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds? (James 1:2) . Are you ready to pass through fire and be refined like silver? ( Psalms 66:10).

How did those you were trusted with problems passed? A character that comes to mind is Job. God trusted him with severe problems to glorify and exalt Himself in the presence of Satan ( Job 1:8). Job’s problems were suddenly , unexpected ,various and serial. From lost of children, properties to sickness. The Bible recorded he passed the “trust” test as in all these problems he blessed the Lord (Job 1:21) and did not sin nor charge God with wrong.( Job 1:22). How did he passed through fire successful? He was blameless, upright , God- fearing and constantly making atonement for his children’s sins . He was full of wisdom, have a clear understanding of Who God is -A loving Father and was ready to stick to Him come losses and sickness. He understood the principles of the Kingdom,he told his wife can we accept good and not troubles from God?(Job 2:10) He knew the problems as varied and numerous were only temporary and he endured (Psalms 30:5).

Abraham was described as a friend of God (James 2:23), with an unfailing intimacy with God. An upright and a man of great faith, demonstrated through his calling our of Ur to a place he didn’t know to the birth of the promised heir, Isaac. His faith was tested and his trust in God walked through fire when God commanded him to sacrifice the long awaited heir . He had three days to obey and journeyed to Mount Moriah to perform the sacrifice. That was a battle within for him, the promised child to be sacrificed? Was God not sincere aferall? Was l a fool holding on to the promise of a great nation through Isaac? He had three days to pass the test, he proceeded on the journey believing that after the sacrifice,God will raise up his son (Hebrews 11:17-19) . He trusted his friend, the All powerful God , the giver of life, he obeyed and he passed the test of true friendship, love, trust and obedience . His life of faith was the credential to passing the test.

The mother of our Lord Jesus Christ was an innocent unmarried virgin young woman, who God had a purpose and an assignment for. She was tested with the unspeakable pregnancy that would have brought a big shame to her when she was visited by Angel Gabriel who announced her conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. That would have been very tough and fearful, she however, saw beyond the present , she Behold the future and surrendered her womb for the great work ahead , the utimate master plan of God ( Luke 1:38) . She passed the test because of her bravery , devotion to God and ability to Behold the future.

What are the take homes for us!! Each personality had an inherent credentials to scale through the test ranging from blamelessness , uprightness, devotion, strong faith, conviction about the characteristics of God and the fear of God. Which of these credentials do you possess? Can your faith walk through the fire or the storms of life? Can God Trust you with problems? Can He trust you to Behold? Can He entrust you as an actor in His grand scheme? If you are not sure of your positive answers to these questions, you have to start gathering your credentials through training. The Psalmist said his Rock taught him to be battle ready ( Psalms 144:1) . It’s not a battle that you can lean on your own strength, that will be foolishness and pride. Peter failed the test out of pride, self- righteousness and overconfidence ,when Jesus warned him that he will denied Him thrice before the cock crows (Luke 22:33-34) . To pass the test of problems and trials, do not follow the way and utterance of Peter, longevity of discipleship or salvation are not part of credentials to pass but humility, tolerance, uprightness, strong faith and having the true knowledge of God .

Be prepared to pass the test of problems and trials when they come, for without cross, there is no crown. If God cannot trust you with problems, He cannot equally trust you with testimonies. After Job passed the test of problems, God blessed his latter days than his beginning ( Job 42:12), Abraham became the father of nations as promised by God (Genesis 22:17-18), Mary bagged the title of the most favoured among women till day (Luke 1:30).

Test of problems is inevitable as believers, your faith must walk through fire to be refined as a child of God (Psalms 66:10.). Apostle Paul said without Faith is it impossible to please Him and it’s in pleasing Him that He will reward those who diligently seek Him ( Hebrews 11:6) Be ready for God to trust you with problems for a fulfilled and blessed life. Wishing you success as you write your examination of trials