PERSEVERANCE WORKS EXPERIENCE

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope (Rom 5:1-4, KJV). " . . . and perseverance, proven character . . . " (NASB). " . . . perseverance, character . . . " (NIV). "And steadfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope" (ASV).

Devotion 13 of 24

ISRAEL TESTED

It was a happy day when Israel came out of Egypt. At the midnight hour, the appointed time, Israel made their exodus from the land of bondage. Thus it is written, "About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt . . . And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies" ( Ex 11:4; 12:51). The deliverance was so thorough that "not a hoof" was left behind (Ex 10:26). According to the commandment of Joseph nearly 150 years previously, his bones were taken with them. "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you" (Gen 50:25; Ex 13:19).

But, alas, their joy was short-lived, for "God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea" (Ex 13:18). It was not long until their joy turned into murmuring. As soon as they faced the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army bearing down upon them, their corrupt hearts erupted. "Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness" (Ex 14:11-12). They were being tested, but miserably failed the test.

God continued to try Israel. When Mount Sinai convulsed under the presence of the Almighty, it struck fear into the hearts of the people. They were being tested. Thus Moses cried out, "Fear not: for God is come TO PROVE YOU, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not" (Ex 20:20). Again, they failed the test.

During their wilderness journeys, when they came to Meribah, there was no water. Being again put to the test, the people "chided" Moses and "they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?" (Ex 17:7). Of that occasion, the Lord Himself said, "I PROVED thee at the waters of Meribah" (Psa 81:7; Num 20:13). Again, they miserably failed the test.

The wilderness journey itself, lasting forty years, was one great test--a Divine examination to unveil the real condition of their hearts. As it is written, "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to PROVE thee, to know WHAT WAS IN THINE HEART, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no" (Deut 8:2). The gracious intention of God was not to find their weakness, already known to Him. Rather, in His own words, He did it " that He might humble thee, and that He might PROVE thee, to do thee good at thy latter end" (Deut 8:16).

Confronting the Red Sea, the arid desert, and lack of meat, brought out the unbelief of Israel (Ex 14:11-12; 16:12; 17:2-3). They failed the tests!

What tests are you going through? Have you recognized them as tests? or have you allowed an "evil heart of unbelief" to rise within you (Heb 3:12). There is no way you can escape testing. It is the Divinely appointed way of strengthening your spiritual sinews, and developing the kind of character that will make fit into heaven.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ help me to recognize Your tests, and to be confident they come with grace and strength as their attendants.

-- Tomorrow: PAUL IS TESTED --