The Test

Hezekiah succeeded in everything he undertook. But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. 2 Chronicles 32:31

We always assume that God is by our side all day, every day, but is that always the case? Hezekiah was tested by God, but not by some great request or temptation he would have to overcome with God’s help, but by God leaving him. Why would God do that to His servant? Simply because He wanted to know what was in Hezekiah’s heart when the chips were down.

The parallel to you and me is easy to make. Have you ever felt alone, as if God has left you, and the old ‘Footprints’ poem doesn’t seem to fit or apply? I certainly have. These times can come during a personal crisis when the only person you can turn to as a Christian is God, and He is just not there. It may be a little like the analogy of the exams in school. The teacher is silent during the time of the test.

What do you do when you’re in deep trouble, and God is silent, and He has taken a step back? I think we have two choices. Either get even more discouraged and faith takes a severe hit OR faith comes through, and you become stronger because you have endured the test. Perhaps this is the biggest test of your Christian life. It will undoubtedly be a turning point and we can never be the same person again because God will know everything that is in our hearts, but so too will we. So, don’t fear the test, but embrace it!