Bible Studies

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
- That's Testing!
Testing is part of our Christian walk. God tests us to prove us. He also test us so that we would know how strong or weak we are. Through testing we get to know God more and are able to trust Him more.

Manufacturers of cars put there cars through various rigours to make sure the car can stand various conditions. In the same way God tests us to build our faith, make us tenacious and robust to His glory.

Abraham was tested when God told him to sacrifice the child he had waited for over 25 years. He obeyed God and God credited his willingness to do it as righteousness. Abraham demonstrated his total trust in the Lord. In spite of His previous failure Abraham bounced back and against all hope believed in hope.

Gideon’s 32000 volunteers were tested. He told them whoever is fearful should go home and 22000 went home. The Lord felt they were still too many and instructed Gideon to test them at a water brook. There the Lord separated those who were cautious, battle-ready from those who were careless and laid back.

3 announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
4 But the LORD said to Gideon, There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them out for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go.
5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.
6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
7 The LORD said to Gideon, With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.
8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley.
(Judges7:3-8)

Paul was tested through the things he suffered and so was Jesus. You will be tested and so will I.

3 We put no stumbling-block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;
6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8 through glory and dishonour, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;
9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;
10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
(1Cor 6, 3-10))
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Cor10:13)

Job was tested sorely and he cried but he also worshipped.
'Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him.' When he has tested me I will come forth like gold.. I will wait until my change comes.'

Peter was tested and he failed, but Jesus restored him and he bounced back strong. You too can. He went on to write his epistles which are a great blessing to us today.


He said the trial of your faith is for the refining of your faith which is more precious than gold.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
7 These have come so that your faith— of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire— may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Pet1:6-7
19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1Pet2:19-21

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1Pet3:13-17

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1Pet 4:12-16

Are you tested? Trust Him. Your test will bring a testimony. Your battering will birth a blessing. The heat will bring a treat. Your trial will bring a triumph.
Without rain we’ll have a desert. No pain no gain. No guts, no glory. No persecution and provocation no promotion. No pruning, no fruiting. No training no reigning.

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