Testing Children
In my Bible reading this morning, I came across the scripture where Jesus was sent out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This occurred directly after He was baptized by John. So, it got me to thinking about Job and pondering why God had two of the most upright people tested by Satan. It’s easy to think “God that’s just not fair. They were living a life to please you and obey you, yet you allowed Satan to test them?” However, I am learning that I have to view all things through the lense of the truth! The truth that God is good...all the time! He loves us and has good plans for us. However, those plans are beyond my comprehension and span beyond myself, and beyond this time. “For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?” Romans 11:34 So with that reminder, I saw something different. I saw a proud father showing the greatest enemy of all, Satan, how wonderful His children are. How proud He is of them. Another element I saw, was God uses those testings to strengthen and grow us. To help us Christians remember where our strength and help come from and to consider our own weaknesses so we will be compassionate and help others without being a self righteous judge. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 So if you’ve been living an upright life with pure motives, and a storm comes into your life, be encouraged that God is either showing off His amazing child or He is growing you to build you up into a mighty warrior! A warrior who isn’t afraid to fight the spiritual battles going on all around us...to go into the darkness and shine a light for lost souls to find their way to God and to freedom. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free...” Luke 4:18 The Core Scripture Reading “Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil....All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. Job 1:8 & 12 “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” Matthew 3:16-4: