My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3 (NKJV)
We are all accustomed to tests, right from school exams, interviews, laboratory tests, machine and equipment tests, quality control tests, all the way to the test of loyalty.
Unlike all these tests where the subject being tested may pass or fail, the testing of our faith is to prove that it has already passed.
The testing of our faith is actually the testing of God’s Word, the testing of God Himself.
How can this be?
The Word of God is the source of Faith. See-Romans 10:17
God is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. See- Hebrews 12:2.
Therefore our faith on trial is really God on trial.
If a product is on trial or being tested, then the manufacturer of that product is on trial or being tested.
This is the reason why we can count it all joy when we face trials.
Every time you’re being tried or tested, God your manufacturer – the One who created you is being tried or tested. He’s being tested to prove that what He planned, purposed and produced, is authentic and works.
Now imagine God – the Most High, the Almighty, the more than enough, the One before whom nothing is too difficult, the One with whom all things are possible, the One who is and does exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask think or imagine! Imagine this kind of God being tried or tested! The result is no doubt a pass whose perfection can only be described as exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all imagination.
Trials don’t come from God. He doesn’t need to test you. He’s not unsure of you; He’s fully persuaded of you because He made you. He made the best because He made you in His own image and likeness. Therefore He believes the best of you. He knows everything perfectly well. He knows you comprehensively. He knows what you’re made of – that you’re of God and have overcome… 1John4:4.
He knows what you’re capable of – that you can do all things through Him that strengthens you. See- Philippians 4 :13.
Trials come from the devil and the world. While the purpose of the devil and the world in bringing trials is to bring us down and under, to defeat and destroy us, the plan and purpose of God to keep us over and above and in dominion is realized instead.