What is the "test site" for your faith? Is it health? Finances? Housing? Employment? Friendships? Marriage? Parenting? The more I talk with fellow Christians, I find that each has a certain facet of their daily lives that constantly tests their trust in the Lord? In one family the father's faith is repeatedly tested through the family vehicle. For another, it is the income needed to provide for his family. For a young mother, it is the chronic illness of one of her children. Some well-meaning friends of these folks have said that these trials were "due to sin in their lives," or " lack of faith," or "an attack of the enemy, Satan." Seldom have I heard someone say, "It is the Lord allowing this test to see where your faith lies." Not how much faith, but in whom or what has a person placed his/her faith?

Job lost all he had--property, possessions, children and wife, yet the real test came when his health failed. For a very long time Job sat upon the ash heap scraping his sores. His friends were sure he had "done something wrong." But Job resisted that idea. Job didn't know why he was being tried. He didn't know what God was about. Eventually, Job despaired of even being born. Then God spoke very clearly to Job, "Why are you using your ignorance to deny My divine guidance and care?" (Job 38:1, paraphrased) "Are you going to discredit My justice and condemn Me; so that you can say you are right?" (Job 40:8, LB) These are the only two questions that God puts on His tests. Job realized that his faith in God, though strong in most areas of his life, fell short when it came to God's sovereign authority over all aspects of his life. Job ceases his contention with God, humbles himself and, by faith, submits to God's ways with him. Satan is silenced. God triumphs. Job is blessed. How necessary, then, is the testing of our faith to God's purpose for our lives on earth and eternally? Think about it.