FollowBy Interim Pastor Steve McCoy
Tests are dreaded by most students, but teachers have been using them for years because they work. Students strive to learn their lessons so they can advance, pass the test, and move on to the next level.
God also administers tests. Jesus writes to the church at Philadelphia about testing the whole earthly population: “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
The good news is that this church is going to be spared from that test. The bad news is God is going to test those who call this planet home.
Interestingly enough, our world is going through a planetwide test right now since God has allowed COVID-19 to sweep the globe.
How do we and the rest of the world pass the test?
Do we pass by coping and hunkering down?
Do we pass when we discover who is to blame and hold them accountable—China, politicians, virologists?
Do we pass the test when we wear a mask, socially distance, or get a vaccine?
Just how do we pass the pandemic test?
When God was leading Israel through their wilderness wanderings, Moses disclosed to them the purpose of their trials: “to test you in order to know what was in her heart” (Deuteronomy 8:2).
God is testing me, our church, other believers, unbelievers, and the whole world with COVID-19 to see what is in our heart:
- Do I love God more fervently than before?
- Is my service for God as passionate as before?
- Is my obedience more complete than in previous days?
- Is my character more reflective of Jesus?
I want to pass the test with a heart hot after God.
Perhaps God is preparing His church to come roaring back with more vitality and passion than ever before!
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