THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN TESTING AND TRIALS

God’s Good Plans and Purposes

Ephesians 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

The Purifying Effect of Testing and Trials

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

1. Trials prove the genuineness of our faith.

1 Peter 1:6–7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

See James 2:14-26...

2. Trials wean us off of our love of sin and the world.

Proverbs 17:3 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”

Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.”

3. Trials teach us obedience.

Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”

Psalm 119:71 “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.”

4. Trials make us more Christlike.

James 1:2–3 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Romans 5:3–5 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

5. Trials teach us that Christ is all we need.

Philippians 3:8 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.”

Job 19:25–27 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”

6. Trials increase our faith.

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

See Hebrews 11:17–19...

7. Trials teach us truth.

Isaiah 53:5–6 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

The Lord is at Work Even When We Don’t See It

See Genesis 17:15–16...

See Genesis 17:19...