When God’s Man is Tested
Some days, it seems we are tested on every front!
I was a mediocre high school student. My M.O was ‘just do enough to pass.’ When tests and exams were announced, I would scan the material the night before (or the morning of …) and glean enough information to get by. For me, C’s were fine and B’s were good. I had a system of minimal effort; just do enough to stay out of trouble.
My system, however, had a serious flaw; not being prepared for the dreaded pop quiz. The pop quiz messed up everything for me. A scheduled test? No problem. A pop quiz? I wasn’t in a state of being prepared.
In the area of spiritual maturity, the pop quiz should be expected. The man of God should be prepared.
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men. Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:13
In my recent posts, we have been considering the character, courage, and confidence of God’s man. I certainly don’t mean to ignore the women of God, but I have sensed a calling recently to speak to men directly in these posts and call them to rise up.
Here’s what we know so far regarding the character of God’s man:
- A Man of Godly character aspires to be useful for the work God calls him to.
If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
- A man of Godly character is forged into usefulness under the watchful eye of God!
He (Hezekiah) trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah … for He clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments. And the Lord was with Him; wherever he went he prospered. 2Kings 18:5-7
- A man of Godly character prays, looks to God for guidance, and then takes action.
Then Jonathan said … ‘Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.’ 1 Samuel 14:6.
- As God’s man journeys along the path of usefulness, he encounters tests of character.
Consider Joseph: It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused … Genesis 39:7,8
Consider Daniel: But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank … Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.’ Daniel 1:8; 6:16
Consider Mordecai from the book of Esther: All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage. Esther 3:2
Joseph, Daniel and Mordecai have something in common. They were men of God who rose to great power in foreign nations. Joseph rose to second in power to the Pharaoh of Egypt; Daniel rose to second in power to the king(s) of Babylon; Mordecai rose to second in power to the king of Persia. These are our examples of men of great worldly achievement who remained faithful to God throughout their rise to the top.
Every man of God in the Bible was tested. The great women of God were tested as well. Consider the testing of Abigail, Hannah, Ruth and Esther, to name a few. These tests are part of our journey. The apostle Peter spoke of severe trials and difficulties when he encouraged the believers to ‘not be surprised by the fiery ordeal among you,’ I Peter 4:12.
The tests that God sends our way are never pre-announced with date and time. They are the pop quizzes of life. Therefore, God’s man is to be prepared. He prepares his heart, mind, and will by developing a biblical world-view accompanied by a godly character of fortitude and courage.
His biblical world-view provides wisdom to process decisions correctly when tested and his character provides courage to act accordingly.
Do you aspire to be God’s man? Men of God, rise up!
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself. Proverbs 4:3
How does a man of God prepare for the pop quizzes of life?
- God’s man nourishes his heart with worship to love God!
- God’s man feeds his mind with the Word to know God,
- God’s man surrenders his will to the Spirit to obey God
Father, the people we encounter daily are silently longing to be led. They need the guidance of a person of God to live out the truth and to speak the truth in love. I ask that Men of God reading and listening to these words would rise up, renew their commitment to You and take steps to prepare and walk closely with You. When men can’t be found, raise up godly women such as you did with Abigail, Hannah, Ruth, and Esther. We are confident in You and in the work you are doing in all of our lives. With hearts of gratitude and praise, may we glorify You with our lives. Amen!