Tests to Strengthen You!
Matthew 4:1-11
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,”he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @ Sunday, May 21, 2023
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
What is the hardest test you have ever taken?
One of my hardest tests came when I was 20 years old. I was one of the few students who showed up for school bus behind-the-wheel test to drive for St. Paul & Suburban Bus Company in the Twin Cities. The one who would be administering the test casually commented as I pulled out of the parking lot, “Did you know half the people who take this test fail? I hope you are one of the ones that pass.” (Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr. Tester Man!)
I actually was doing very well in the test until we pulled into the parking lot where other buses were parked. My testing instructor said, “I want you to back up into that parking space between the two buses… without hitting them!” I racked my brain to try to remember if it ever said in my study manual that I needed to prepare for backing a bus up this way. I couldn’t remember any.
I tried 5 times to get the bus lined up correctly, but each time I failed. Finally my testing instructor had me exchange places with me while he expertly backed up the bus perfectly into the spot he wanted it to be. We exchanged places again and after another three times, I finally got it parked.
I turned to him after that and asked, “I don’t remember seeing any instructions about backing up a school bus in the manual. Did I miss something?” My instructor replied, “This is not part of the state test, but it is part of ours. We need people who know how to back up buses in our terminal. Congratulations, you passed the test!”
In both the Old and New Testaments, the word translated “test” means “to prove by trial.” This Sunday we are going to get a better look at the “tests” God takes us through to see if we will follow his instructions!
Grateful for you,
Pastor John