Trials - God’s Tests

Trials defined

In legal matters - a trial is used to test or examine a person’s guilt or innocence.

In school, if they wanted to see if you knew the subject matter - they’d give you a test!

I want to talk about God’s tests today .

There are trials that he allows us to go through.

A trial can be defined very simply - trouble.

Something that is frustrating you.

Something that is causing you pain.

But it’s not a pointless, worthless trouble - it’s trouble with a divine purpose.

I have found trials to be in 2 categories.

Misfortune

A sudden catastrophic event. Unforeseen, unexpected.

The world might call it - bad luck.

The Bible would identify this kind of trial as simply a side-effect of living in a sin-cursed world.

Ecclesiastes 8:14 (KJV 1900)

14There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

A sickness.

A sudden loss

You lose your phone

A sudden expense.

A toothache.

For lack of a better way of putting it - there are trials of misfortune.

They can be very painful. They can be catastrophic.

They are HARD - no trouble is easy to go through.

But they are simply trouble that we accept that happens to ALL OF US!

It happens to saved people and lost people.

It happens to nice people and mean people.

… everyone goes through it!

And although God certainly cares about us and knows what is happening, and is sovereign - there doesn't really seem to be a divine intervention or reason for the MISFORTUNE that befalls us.

It is just that God has allowed it, and we can find in Him the grace to carry us through these challenges of life.

The other kind of trial, or trouble, that I find in the Bible is the trial of AFFLICTION.

2. Affliction - to be distressed.

Two kinds of Affliction.

1. The affliction of divine chastening.

God’s own people suffered because of unbelief and disobedience.

Genesis 15:13 (KJV 1900)

13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Exodus 3:7 (KJV 1900)

7And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

The world suffers the affliction of God - a punishment for their sin.

Deuteronomy 7:19 (KJV 1900)

19The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the Lord thy God brought thee out: so shall the Lord thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.

2. The affliction of divine testing.

Sometimes the trial is simply this: a test.

It’s like God has determined to know what we will do if our faith is tested.

We see this all throughout the Bible.

The tree in the garden - a test

Abraham waiting for a son - a test

Abraham told to sacrifice his son - a test

we see Irasel being tested

We see Jesus being tested

We see the church being tested!

every person

every nation

every dispensation

HAS BEEN TESTED.

And in our life - TESTING!

1 Peter 4:12–13 (KJV 1900)

12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

James 1:2–4 (KJV 1900)

2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 

3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 

4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Now with this in mind as a backdrop I’d like for us to look at some Scriptures in the Old Testament, in the book of Daniel. Chapter 1.

What happened in Daniel was not just a matter of misfortune.

God had moved in the hearts of Israels enemies - first the Assyrians, then the Babylonians, to rise up and fight against Israel.

It was affliction of divine chastisement on a nation.

That turned into affliction of divine testing in Daniel’s life.

Daniel was a teenage boy in Daniel 1:1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.”

This was no small matter - the Bible doesn't say how long - but it appears this seige was short lived - in a matter of a few weeks, or months, Daniel’s whole world was turned upside down.

He was taken captive.

His whole life changed.

15-17 year old man -

Now a prisoner.

And he was a special prisoner - they would take the best looking ones - and give them a special honor - serving in the king’s court.

Daniel 1:3–7 (KJV 1900)

3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 

4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 

5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 

6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 

7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

It was an honor - but not one that you and I would want.

Notice - v3 Ashpenez was the “master of the _________”

v7 the prince of the _________

Isaiah 39:7 “And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

They were made eunuchs to ensure there wouldnt be any trouble with the royal women in the king’s court.

This meant

Daniel’s prospects of having a wife - gone

His hopes of having children - gone

His freedom to live where he waneted to live - work where he wanted to work - taken away.

Daniel suffered great loss. - All suffering is rooted in loss.

Daniel lost most things that we hold dear.

He suffered greatly.

Talk about a test.

A test that broke most of the young men who went through it.

But not Daniel and his 3 friends.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel REFUSED to let the situation cause him to get bitter against God.

Most of the time when we go through trouble we look for ways to numb the pain

- to drown our sorrows- -

Just a little food

Just a little drink

Just a little pleasure.

That;s why the Bible says to take heed LEST there be any root of bitterness in your life that causes DEFILEMENT.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself

We are quick to say - “well if this is how God treats me, then why should I serve Him”

NOT DANIEL.

He made a decision to TRUST GOD THROUGH THE TRIAL and STAY FAITHFUL

And look at his reward.

Daniel 1:15 “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.”

Forgiveness might be hard - but you’ll be better off if you do.

Letting go of bitterness is hard at first, but there’s a blessing in it.

Daniel and his friends were in better health than all of those who DID eat the forbidden meat.

The first test is “will I allow the trial to make me bitter against my God”

When you are young - that’s the time to decide that no matter what God brings you through you’ll trust him.

It was the test of PROVIDENCE — WOULD HE TRUST GOD.

And then came:

THE TESTS OF PATIENCE - WOULD HE CONTINUE

There were many for Daniel.

His decision to not eat the Kings meat was a noble one - but it was only the beginning.

Would he eventually give up?

Would he persevere?

Daniel 1:21 “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”

What you may easily miss in that one verse is that this time frame, covering the official service of Daniel in the political realm lasted for 66 years.

Over 40 years under Nebuchadnezzar.

And then another 20+ years under Cyrus and Darius after Babylon fell.

Daniel faithfully served His God..

Daniel CONTINUED.

Through all kinds of trials.

TESTS OF PERPLEXITY

Daniel 2:13 “And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.”

God - what are you doing?????

I don’t know how to do this!

Daniel 2:26–28 “The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;”

What if the trial is just so that SOMEONE can look at you and hear you say - THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN

all else has failed - BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN!

Isnt that what Jesus said about that man who’d been blind all his life

Jesus' response is found in John 9:1–3 (KJV):

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered,

Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Daniel 2:46–49 “Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.”

Daniel and his 3 friends had high positions - it was one of privilege but also one of great difficulty.

There was the test of PENALIZATION

Daniel’s 3 friends found themselves in a predicament.

Nebuchednezzar got so happy about his greatness that he built a massive statue - and EVERYONE had to come to the party.

The command was bow down or be killed.

The response was in Daniel 3:16–17 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”

They told him that whether God took them to paradise through the fire - or saved them out of hte fire - either way the LORD was going to deliver them from his wrath.

Daniel 3:19–25 “Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?…”

What’s the point — sometimes our trial might be to make people look and say — HOW ARE THEY STILL WALKING —

Daniel 3:28 “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.”

TESTS OF POWERLESSNESS

two more times - Nebuchednezzar returned to beseige Jerusalem.

🏰 1. First Siege – 605 BC (During King Jehoiakim) - DANIEL CAPTURED

🏰 2. Second Siege – 597 BC (During King Jehoiachin) DANIEL OBSERVES FROM AFAR

After Jehoiakim’s rebellion and death, his son Jehoiachin reigned briefly.

Nebuchadnezzar returned and besieged Jerusalem again.

The Temple was plundered, and 10,000 captives were taken to Babylon, including Ezekiel (2 Kings 24:10–17).

🔹 Daniel was already in Babylon during this time, possibly serving in the palace, and would have heard about this siege and likely interacted with new captives.

🏰 3. Third Siege – 588–586 BC (During King Zedekiah) ONCE AGAIN - DANIEL WATCHES FROM A DISTANCE AS HIS BELIEVED COUNTRY, CITY, AND TEMPLE ARE DESTROYED.

After years of vassalage, Zedekiah rebelled.

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem for about 18 months.

The city was breached, temple destroyed, and many people killed or exiled (2 Kings 25).

2 Kings 25:9 – “And he burnt the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem…”

🔹 By this time, Daniel had been in Babylon for nearly 20 years, serving in high positions. He would have heard of the fall of Jerusalem with great sorrow.

Did he quit?

Did he get mad at nebuchednezzar and walk off the job?

Did he get mad at God?

NO — DANIEL CONTINUED!!

He surrendered his will to the Lord’s.

He had to submit to the fact that there were some things he was powerless over -

God wants me to understan: I am powerless over some things.

And in other things I DO have power.

Daniel couldnt stop Nebuchednezzar - but he could be a testimony on the job - and he was!

The test of PERSEVERANCE

By this time, Daniel is an old man.

The kingdom has changed hands and Darius the Mede took it.

Darius like Daniel but he had been duped by some people who didnt.

So he signed the decree in Daniel 6:7–9 “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”

NO PRAYER FOR A MONTH!!!!

Well, old Daniel heard about it and flew off the handle.

No, look at what he did.

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

Daniel 6:11–28 KJV 1900

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Daniel could have cried out to God.

GOD WHY ME!

WHY NOW!

I’ve served you faithfully!

I’ve given my whole life to you!

Why in my old age should I suffer!!!

Daniel 6:18–28 KJV 1900

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

notice verse 26 - the God of Daniel — HE IS THE LIVING GOD.

Could it be that the DIVINE TEST is for this purpose:— That the world might know that there is a God - and HE IS ALIVE