This is part 5 of a 5-part series. View the entire series here.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. – James 1:12, 17 NLT
Since when has testing and temptation been considered a good thing? When we read the Bible, we like the happy, joyful (one might even say positive and encouraging) parts. But leave those trials out of my blessings!
But when it comes to what the Bible says about trials, it may be a hard pill to swallow. The life of following Jesus isn’t free of battles. It isn’t above conflict. It doesn’t prevent sin from trying to allure us. But what it does offer is one of the best silver linings we have on this side of eternity: a greater purpose.
Blessed with the Crown of Life
We’ve been trained to look at testing with a “pass-fail” mentality. Testing in a biblical sense isn’t quite as simple. Whenever you see testing in the Bible, you should always ask yourself, What’s the greater purpose behind this test? What is God trying to teach humanity?
Take God’s testing of Abraham. This wasn’t simply, “Sacrifice him and you pass, waver and you fail.” This was a pivotal moment for Abraham to learn that God would always provide what was necessary to fulfill His promises.
How about the testing of the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years? More than a punishment for a faithless generation, God was teaching His people that whether they were in the desert or a land flowing with milk and honey—He was the source of protection and provision.
And the quintessential story of testing in the Bible: Jesus’ temptation by the serpent of old. The Father wasn’t seeing if Jesus was up for the task ahead; He was proving that the Son of Man would accomplish what Adam couldn’t in the garden.
So before you think testing is about getting an “A” in the gradebook of God, think again. When God tests us, it’s inseparable from His promise to do something we can’t comprehend on this side of eternity…
The Kingdom Finish Line
Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
In ancient Rome, athletes would compete. Not for a trophy, but a crown. If you’ve ever watched sports or followed the Olympics, you know that the victor is never determined by one competition.
The winner is uncovered in a series of events. A test of endurance. It’s not about winning every single event. It’s about showing up with consistent results—the evidence of ongoing discipline, commitment, and perseverance.
Our testing is much the same. God doesn’t expect perfect scores across the board. But He does expect us to bring ourselves before Him, heart surrendered and eyes on Him. He requires us to train by abiding and obeying, loving Him with mind, body, and soul.
All this leads to our ability to endure the testing. And what awaits us on the other side is nothing less than glorious.
A Prayer for Dedication
Heavenly Father, give me the perseverance to seek You every moment of every day. Thank You for strengthening me by the power of Your Spirit. I ask that You would give me constant reminders of the crown of victory that awaits me in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
