Being Tried?

There is a basic spiritual principal many shy away from at their own peril. It is that God tries the hearts of all mankind. The word tries, or trieth means He investigates, He examines, tests and proves our heart.


Metal is tested by engineers in proportion for what it is going to be used for. Metal used for paperclips will not pass the test of metal used for a building supports. or a suspension bridge. I feel the spiritual world is similar. The physical world in which we move, live and have our being is only a mirror of the eternal. Our lot and position in eternity may very well be in proportion to our success during our times of testing and trial; whether great trials of distress where all we can do is cry out for help, or the small trials we tend to set aside; thinking little of them.


Scripture gives many examples of this way of God. Here are a few :

1. King David said " I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness." ( 1 Chronicles 29:17)

2. Jeremiah said, " But, O LORD of Hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins of the heart..." ( Jeremiah 11:20)

3. again in Jeremiah, " But, O LORD of Hosts, that triest the righteous, and see the reins and the heart..." (Jeremiah 20:12)

4. King David again says that the wickedness of the wicked will come to an end; and that God will establish the just - for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

5. The wisest man who ever lived outside of Christ, King Solomon said that the refining pot is for silver, and the furnace is for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts.


In the natural world, I could never become a member of the Special Forces of the United States military unless I went through the required training. Is the spiritual world different? I hear of receiving a crown of righteousness for the saints and over comers, but to be an over comer we must go through things to be overcome! No trials - no crown? No tests - no rewards?


1 Peter 1 says the trial of our faith is much more precious than gold, even if we are tried by the fire. Our success in these grievous seasons, whether it be financial, sickness, great temptation or any number of issues will be found to bring praise and honour and glory when Christ Jesus appears to receive us unto Himself.


The great man Abraham, one whom God called friend was severely tried. His metal was tested, so to speak, when he was told to offer his son Isaac on the altar. Abraham was able to obey because he determined in his heart that even if Isaac was offered as the sacrifice, God was able to raise him up from the dead. This is faith! What a trial!


Revelation speaks of some being cast into prison that they may be tried. ( Revelation 2:10) Being tried is not just an old testament concept. We live in the age of grace; but trials and tests are part of the growth process; maturity, patience, grace and understanding of others are the fruits of our trials. They may be great tests requiring Divine miracles or small tests that seem to linger forever; all serve a purpose.


Even the Word of God is tried. It has been proved, tried, tested and found faithful. "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." (2 Samuel 22:31)


The very foundation of our faith has been tried and found faithful and true. Isaiah 28:16 gives a beautiful picture of this~


" Therefore thus saith the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."


Never lose heart and think you are forsaken, forgotten, or neglected. The enemy, and sometimes our friends may say so. One day soon Christ will look upon us and proclaim with great gladness that our hearts have been tried, tested and found worthy!