In Second Chronicles, chapter thirty-two, verse thirty-one, the story of Hezekiah’s dealings with the ambassadors from Babylon is told in Second Kings twenty, verses twelve through nineteen, and Isaiah thirty-nine. God sometimes withdraws evidence of his nearness and favor to test the hearts and steadfast trust of the servants. God may also test the genuineness of believers’ devotion to train them in humility and prepare them for larger tasks or higher responsibilities. Some of the ways that God tests or tries the people are by prolonged adverse circumstances, as with Joseph prayed in Egypt in Genesis thirty-nine through forty, physical and emotional affliction with Job, as in Job one to two, delayed fulfillment of promises, as with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis fifteen through twenty-one, and Joseph’s dreams, as in Genesis thirty-seven, chapter forty-two, verse six, and Psalms one hundred and five, verses seventeen to nineteen, accordingly. Still, there are a few examples of an obedience test, such as with Abraham and Isaac in Genesis twenty-two or King Saul of First Samuel fifteen, and seasons of spiritual dryness or darkness that come to most of God’s people at some point in life.
Learning to trust God and remaining faithful amid trying experiences produce the full-grown fruit of steadfast faith, proven character, mature obedience, and God’s approval, as in Second Corinthians twelve, verses seven through ten. Amid his fiery trial, Job declared, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold,” as in Job twenty-three, verse ten, and Zechariah thirteen, verse nine, respectively. To be tried by God is not necessarily a sign of his disfavor or judgment. However, maybe the fact is a sign of His greater purpose for the one whose heart He tests. Whatever situation believers face today, we must rely on God to pass the test. “Lord, help me through this situation, give me your wisdom and strength to overcome, thank you.” We must continue to repeat this statement until it is over.