Why does God test us?

“What is man . . . that You should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?” (Job 7:17-18).

Isn’t that an amazing revelation—that God visits us every morning and tests us every moment? When it first became real to me, I had to ask myself: Am I prepared to receive a visit from God every
morning? Do I wake up with that expectation?

Then I went on to ask myself: Why does God test us? What is His purpose?

The Dictionary gives an interesting definition of the verb test: to ascertain worth  . . . by subjection to certain examinations. God does not test us because He is angry with us or wants to put us down. On the contrary, testing is a mark of God’s favor. He tests us because He is to establishing our value.

A jeweler will subject gold or silver to certain tests. He does this because they are valuable. He does not bother to test base metals such as iron or tin.

In the world of the patriarchs there was one man of outstanding righteousness. His name was Job. God was proud of Job. He actually boasted about him to Satan: “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

Characteristically, Satan’s response was to attribute selfish motives to Job: “He only serves You because of what He gets from You.”  In response, God permitted Satan to put Job to the test. First, He allowed Satan to destroy everything that belonged to Job: his possessions, his servants and his children. Then God even permitted Satan to touch Job’s body—to afflict him with boils from head to toe. But He did not permit Satan to take Job’s life.

Job recognized that God was testing him. “When He has tested me,” he said, “I shall come forth as gold”—that is, gold that had been tested by fire. This gave him the strength to endure. He cried out in agony of soul, but he never gave up.

"Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward. " (James 1:12).

Recognize our tests.  We have need of endurance.  

Stand firm.  Be found tried and true.  

And be blessed.

Terence.