The Spiritual Life #46 - Knowing and Doing the Will of God

Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook

The Lord directs us to obedience and tests us by providing opportunities to follow His Word, whether through His commands, His provisions, or the circumstances He ordains (Ex 16:4; Deut 8:2; 13:3; Judg 2:21-22; 3:4; John 6:5-6; Heb 11:17; Rev 2:10). In Scripture, testing is consistently purposeful, designed to reveal the true condition of our hearts, whether we will love and obey Him above all else (Deut 8:2; 13:3). Like a refiner’s fire, divine testing burns away weakness and exposes sin so that our faith may be strengthened and our character purified (Psa 66:10; Prov 17:3).

Testing, however, is not confined to adversity but also arises through prosperity. Israel was warned that when they entered the land and experienced abundance, they must not forget the Lord (Deut 8:11-16). Agur likewise prayed for moderation, recognizing that riches could lead to denial of God (Prov 30:8-9). Paul issued a similar caution, warning that “those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap” (1 Tim 6:9). In this sense, blessings themselves are tests, exposing whether our hearts will remain humble in gratitude to God or whether abundance will foster pride and forgetfulness.

Through both trial and blessing, the Lord works to produce endurance, humility, and godliness in us, shaping us to walk faithfully and bear fruit to His glory (Ex 16:4; Jam 1:2-4). Divine testing is God’s means of refining us so that our faith may grow strong (Rom 4:19-21), our character be strengthened, and our lives conformed to His will. As growing Christians, we should strive to be obedient-to-the-Word believers who are daily learning and living His Word (1 Pet 2:2; Jam 1:22).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.