It's Only a Test

At the church I have been going to here in Cleveland, Dwelling Place Church International, Pastor Judy (Jacobs) shared a powerful word last Sunday morning.  All the words have been powerful there, but this one was totally a rhema word in my life; you know the kind when it applied directly to the situation you are in?

The title of it was “It’s only a test”.  It has been on my mind and I want to share some of it and add some of my own thoughts to it for you.

There are seasons of testing.  1 Peter 1:6-7 gives us the correct outlook to take on tests.  Rejoice in them!  They aren’t to be mean to us, they are to prove our faith.  That proof is more precious than gold. Testing will come, period.  What is going to be your testimony in the test?  Are you going to get bitter towards God?  Or are you going to stand, like Job and still say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord!”?

The good news is that this test isn’t going to last forever.  Seasons end!   When will the season end?  When you have learned the lesson.  Abraham’s test of obedience wasn’t ended until he drew the knife up, ready to plunge it into Isaac.  God knows our heart, no matter what our lips are saying; He knows if our heart is aligning with that.  Heart obedience is what He is after; He isn’t impressed with fancy words that make us sound surrendered.

Don’t get discouraged, it’s only a test!  You will make it through.  You see, greater is He in you, than He that’s in the world.  God will not test you beyond what you are able to bear—and He is faithful to be there with you every step of the way.  Stand firm!  This isn’t going to last forever.  When Satan runs out of amo, you are still going to be standing!  We win.

Stop looking back.  I have been hearing from multiple leaders that this is a new season, we as the Church are entering a new season.  So get ready! This can be the season of your deliverance, the season of a passed test!  If you will focus.  Tests take study.  Tests take effort.  Tests take focus.  But we have the answers!  Hold on to Jesus, lift your eyes to the Hill where your help comes from!  Give yourself to Him.  Put the trial in His hand and don’t look back.  Don’t take the temptation back—leave it at the Cross.

So I just want to encourage you, stand firm!  Don’t back down.  Maybe this test has been a long one.  Don’t give in!  Don’t look at it like it’s going to last forever, take the mindset that it’s only a test!  It’s going to end.  It’s not going to kill you.  In fact, I know that if you will lean on Jesus, you are going to pass this test!