Could God be testing you? - 1

I have often heard people who suffer ask this question: “God why me?” This will certainly be a good question for those who are not Christians. For those who are Christians and are conversant with the teaching of Christ, I think the best question would be, “Why not me Lord?” At the trial of Jesus, Peter was so afraid that he could not withstand a young girl who confronted him that he was seen in the garden with Christ during his arrest. Peter swore an oat that he did not know Christ. All the other apostles fled, each man to his tent, and Christ was left standing alone to face his trial. After Christ’s death and burial, the Apostles where afraid to step out of their comfort zones and so locked themselves in the upper room in Jerusalem awaiting the promise of Christ, the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the Apostles were infused, as it were, with power and strength from above, as they received the Holy Spirit. They became changed men and went out preaching boldly. When they were persecuted they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to participate in the suffering of Christ. They remembered the teaching of Christ, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” Lk. 9: 23-24.

Life has taught us that there is no crown without a cross. So why are we afraid of suffering? Well the simply truth is that no one wants to suffer. I don’t. But at times when we suffer, could it be that God is testing us? Take a look at the book of Job. Job was a wealthy man who went about his business being a good and holy man. He loved God and obeyed his commands. He was good to his neighbors and kind to all. He was a devoted husband and a loving father to his children. Everyone wanted to associate with him. The Book of Job opens with this verse; “In the land of Uz there was a blameless and upright man named Job, who feared God and avoided evil.” But wait; did God notice his good deeds? You bet he did. Now let us see what happens next. From the sixth through the 12 verse of the first chapter of the book of Job we read these words: “One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “Whence do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, from roaming the earth and patrolling it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job, and that there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil? But Satan answered the Lord and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand upon his person.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.” As soon as Satan left the presence of the Lord, Jobs problems started and he lost everything, including his children. But it did not end there. In the next post we will see how Job’s problems unfold, all because he was faithful to God. Please keep reading on tomorrow!