But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.
Today’s scripture tells us that God tests our hearts (the seat of our emotions) and minds. When we want to test something, we put pressure on it to see if it will do what it says it will do—to see if it will hold up under the stress. God does the same with us. When we pray, asking Him to use us or to give us something or bless us in some way, His answer is often “Let Me try you out first. Let Me put you to the test.” He wants to make sure we are strong enough to handle it.
Each day, we encounter many situations that are nothing more than tests. Sometimes they test our integrity, such as when a cashier gives us too much change and we need to decide whether or not we will do the right thing and give it back. And sometimes they test our emotions. For example, if we have to wait for a table in a restaurant and then we get a bad meal, it’s a test. Will we feel frustrated, or will we stay calm? We may hope for an invitation to a certain gathering. If we don’t get it, will we feel jealous of those who are invited, or will we simply find something else to do? In God’s school, we don’t flunk; we get to keep taking our tests again and again until we pass them. Next time you feel emotional pressure, tell yourself, “This is a test, and I want to pass it.” Realize that God’s tests always have a purpose and that they will ultimately lead to blessing.
Prayer of the Day: Help me, Lord, to recognize the tests You give me and to respond to them as You would have me respond.
