Temptation and testing (part 2)
Abraham
Abraham was tested by God. When following the life of Abraham it is clear that along the course of his life the Lord tested him in various ways (Genesis Ch. 12, 14, 15, 16, 17). In Genesis 12:2, we see what is upon the heart of God in relation to Abraham.
Gen 12:2 “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.” NKJV
- “I will make you” This testifies to the motive of God’s heart, i.e. to make of Abraham what was impossible to Abraham.
One of the means God uses will be testing.
- “I will bless you” Anyone who moves into closer relationship with the Lord will inevitably be blessed.
- “And will make your name great” God wants to elevate the heart of man but wants man to remain humble in the process.
- “And you shall be a blessing” Just as God is a blessing to His people, He want his children to be a blessing to others
Job
Job was tempted by Satan and in that process the Lord was testing the heart of Job. As time goes on the temptation and test become more intense, but Job does not sin with his lip and accuse God foolishly.
Job 23:10 “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” NKJV
Job could say this confidently because he had a surrendered heart.
Job 42:7-8
“And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.
8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” NKJV
The surrendered heart sees what others cannot!
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Teacher – Alex Delpercio