Tested for trust:

Trust Through Testing: A Divine Examination

Have you ever felt that your current situation is less than your potential? God's tests may be at play. Let's explore how God uses these trials to trust those He tests, as inspired by Psalm 105:17-19.

#God's Testing Ground

Often, God tests us by placing us in situations that seem below our potential or calling. This principle is evident in the story of Joseph. Psalm 105:17-19 says, "He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters; he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him." Joseph's rejection, abuse, and false accusations were not just due to evil people but were orchestrated by God to test his faithfulness and readiness.

# The Purpose Behind the Trials

These trials serve a higher purpose. God’s love for us is constant, but His trust is different for each individual. Just as in a family, parents may love all their children equally but trust them differently based on their actions. Similarly, God uses our trials to gauge our trustworthiness.

# Earning Divine Trust

God, His love is unconditional, but His trust must be earned. God cannot trust us without first testing us. Sometimes, these tests involve being in positions smaller than our potential, facing jealousy, or enduring wrongful accusations. These tests reveal our character and readiness for greater responsibilities.

# Joseph's Story: A Blueprint for Trust

Joseph’s story is a profound example of this divine testing. Despite being sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, he remained faithful to God. His trials were not merely about enduring hardship but were a test of his integrity, patience, and trust in God. His unwavering faith through these trials eventually led him to become the second most powerful man in Egypt.

# The Tests We Face

God’s tests may come in various forms: a challenging job, difficult relationships, or temptations. For instance, Joseph faced temptation from Potiphar's wife, which tested his purity. Our responses to these trials determine whether God can trust us with greater blessings and responsibilities.

### Conclusion

God’s love is equal for all, but His trust is conditional. It is built through the tests we endure and how we respond to them. Embrace these trials as opportunities to demonstrate your faithfulness and earn God’s trust.

- **James 1:2-4:** "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

- **1 Peter 1:6-7:** "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the tests You place in our lives. Help us to see them as opportunities to grow and demonstrate our faithfulness. Grant us the strength and patience to endure these trials with unwavering trust in You. May we emerge from these tests as vessels worthy of Your trust, ready to fulfill the greater plans You have for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Thank you for reading, and may your journey through God’s tests be one of growth, trust, and divine favor.