Thursday May 7, 2015

Read Jeremiah 9:1-16

Many people hate tests and have negative or bad memories of tests at school and/or university. Do you? In verse 7 of chapter 9 God declares that He will test the people.

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: “See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

But when the Lord tests His people, the intention and the result is different to any test any one of us has ever sat through.

The whole concept of testing began in Genesis 2 where God gave mankind a command. Of all the trees in the Garden in Eden mankind was free to eat from any tree except one, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. We read in Genesis 2:16-17

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

After Adam and Eve failed that test and were barred from the Garden, God continued to test and refine His people. Abraham was tested in Genesis 22 with his only son, the son of the promise. Because he passed the test the Lord confirmed the covenant promise and blessings with Abraham.

Israel the nation was tested through the desert wanderings they endured. God, through Moses, tells the people,

Deuteronomy 8:2–3 (NIV84)

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Thus we see that God tests us to show us the content of our hearts. He knows what’s in our hearts but through the testing brings it to the surface so that we can see plainly the true content of our hearts. Also, this testing teaches us that we don’t live by bread alone but rather through every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Verse 5 of this chapter goes onto show that through these testings God also disciplines those He loves.

In the New Testament we read that our sufferings and testings lead to us being able to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received.

We also read  in 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

In the Greek text the same word is used for test and tempt. When we are tested or tempted we can be assured that God is working for us and has a grand plan in full swing. We can be sure that He has provided us a way out so that we can stand up and endure the test/temptation. He will give us all that we need to walk faithfully on the narrow road.

As we reflect on the people of Judah as Jeremiah proclaimed the Lord’s testing we wonder how different life in the city of Jerusalem would have been had they turned to the Lord and passed the test.

Prayer Points:

Using today’s Bible passage and reading notes spend time in adoration, confession, thanks and supplication.

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

· Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy in His testings. Praise God that His sovereignty allows testing and that these all work for the good of those who love Him.

· Pray that Uni Impact (NZ) and Student Life (Aus) would be making many disciples and bringing many into the Kingdom of God.

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Why does God test His people?

2. What good can come out of these testings?

3. Describe a test from God that you have personally endured? Share what happened and the good that came out of it.