God who tests

The Lord tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

Psalm 11:5

God not only knows what is in each human heart, but He draws it out in visible ways so that He may be known and worshiped by those who trust and obey Him. David expresses this in the eleventh psalm where he seeks the wise justice of God as sinful men seek to do him harm. He takes refuge in God when threatened by people (Psalm 11:1). Despite the physical threat to his life and the seeming impossibility of changing circumstances under his own power (Psalm 11:2-3), David confidently trusts that God sees, knows, and acts on the behalf of the righteous person who trusts in God (Psalm 11:4-6). God will reward the faith and actions of a righteous man (Psalm 11:7).

In all of this, God will use challenges to our faith to test us, in order to bring us closer to Him. He did this with King David. He did this dramatically with Job. He did this from the very beginning of the start of the drama of redemption in the lives of Abraham, with Isaac, with Jacob, and with Joseph in Egypt. And in all these trials, we will see the goodness of God, His justice over the wrong, and His love for His people.

But in these tests it may not quite feel like this outcome is certain. David ran to God because the threat was very real. And so it is in trial. Although such times are orchestrated under God’s sovereign control, we are challenged by our limited perspective. This is why James in the New Testament encourages us with this reminder: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). Hang on. Trust God. Don’t focus on the difficult trial, but instead on the purposeful God Who works in us in that trial. And wait. For it is worth it. God rewards the faith of the righteous and will judge those who love their sin and hurt other people.