Reasons For Tests In Life

A college student was taking the course in ornithology, which is a study of birds and the course had the reputation of being the most difficult class in the whole curriculum. The professor was an extremely difficult professor. Everybody feared him. But it was a required course, & every student had to take it. As the course began, the professor announced there would be a test in 40 days & it would compose a large portion of the grade. So you had to do well on that test. Everybody studied. They took copious notes. They made sure they understood everything the professor said. On the 40th day the students filed into the lecture hall with sweaty palms, extremely nervous. On the stage was a table with 5 cages on it. Each cage had a cover & beneath the cover they could see the feet & spindly legs of a bird. At the sound of the bell, the professor addressed the students, “Here’s the test. You can see there are 5 birds & they’re all covered except for their feet & legs. You must tell me the identity of each of those 5 birds by looking only at their feet & legs.” Everyone had studied long & hard, but no one had anticipated such a test. And they were all sweating, trying to remember something, anything, that could help them pass the test. Finally, one student stood up & said, “This is ridiculous. This is the craziest test I have every seen, & you’re the worst professor in this whole school.” He said, “I quit. I’m out of here. I’m not going to take this test.” And he turned & walked toward the door. “Just a minute young man.” said the professor. “Who are you? I demand your name right now.” The young man stopped, took a long look at the professor, & then pulling up both of his pant legs said, “You tell me."

Tests are a part of life. But boy we sure would rather skipthe tests of life that come our way.

In Deuteronomy 8, Moses is preparing the Israelites on the plains of Moab to go in and finally take and possess the Promised Land. It is clear that the Israelites 40 years of wandering in the wilderness was hard and difficult. But Moses tells the people that God had used their wilderness experience to accomplish some very important things in their lives. Read…

This morning I want you to notice 5 things Moses highlights. 1st Moses highlights that God had used the wilderness experience…

1. TO HUMBLE THEM. (Vs. 2-3)

- God humbled the Israelites in the wilderness experience.

- Why? Because God wanted them to fully rely on Him – to fully trust in Him – not to rely on self!

- This is one of the great tendencies we fall prey to in our lives = to rely on self or others rather than relying on God!

- Israel had to learn in their wilderness experience that they could only make it with God!

- Who was the One who had fed them? Who was the One who had clothed them? GOD!

- One of the great goals of the wilderness experience was to humble the Israelites before God – to keep them from relying on self and learning to rely on God every day!

- The same is true for you in your life!

TS – 2nd Moses highlights that God had used the wilderness experience…

2. TO TEST THEM. (Vs. 2)

- God tested them several times over those years to see if they would stay faithful and true to Him!

- When you encounter difficulties in your life, these are times of testing – testing you to see if you will stay faithful and true to the Lord!

- How many times has God tested you?

- How many times have you failed? Come through?

TS – 3rd Moses highlights that God had used the wilderness experience…

3. TO KNOW THEIR HEART. (Vs. 2)

- God wanted to know if their hearts were His!

- God wanted to know if they would obey Him – follow Him!

- God wanted to know if they were fully committed, fully devoted!

- God wanted to know if they would keep His commandments or not!

- And so God tested them in the wilderness experience.

- When tests come your way in life, God is testing you to see if your heart is His – if you will obey Him – if you are fully committed to Him – if you will honor His Word and keep His Word!

TS – 4th Moses highlights that God had used the wilderness experience…

4. TO DISCIPLINE THEM. (Vs. 5)

- There were many times over the 40 years in the wilderness that the Israelites messed up – didn’t trust God fully – grumbled (complained) against God.

- And God disciplined them.

- Why? Because He loved them.

- Why do you discipline your child as a parent?

1) Because you love your child.

2) Because you want your child to learn that there are consequences to messing up.

3) Because want your child to learn from their mistakes.

- God disciplines you and me for the same reasons.

TS – 5th Moses highlights that God had used the wilderness experience…

5. TO BRING GOOD IN THEIR LIVES. (Vs. 16)

- What was God doing in the lives of His children?

- Working to do good for them in the end!

- God wanted to bring about good in their lives!

- The wilderness experience was designed to eventually, ultimately bring good in their lives!

- You need to understand this morning that when you walk through a wilderness experience – time of difficulty (deep difficulty) that God is working to bring good in your life!

-Romans 8:28 is always at work.

Romans 8:28 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Conclusion

The late Ron Dunn said, “God uses wilderness experiences in our lives to EMPTY us of our self-sufficiency and self-satisfaction. HE uses such events to EXPOSE what is in our hearts. God allows us to go through difficult times to EDUCATE His people as to the true values of life. He weans us from all else to enable us to see that Jesus alone is essential to a victorious life.”

Yes, God allows you to walk through some wilderness experiences in your life in order to…

1. Humble you.

2. Test you.

3. To know what’s in your heart.

4. To discipline you.

5. To bring good in your life.