Pass the Test to See God's Best

In Genesis 22:1-14, God tested Abraham to see if he was willing to give up his own son.  Abraham obeyed God, and God said to him in Genesis 22:15-18 (NKJV):

Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—  blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.  In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Verse 17 specifically says, "blessing I will bless you."  The word bless or blessing was said twice.  In Hebrew thought, this means extra emphasis was placed on the word.  It was God reinforcing that He really meant that He would bless Abraham; it was a guarantee.  

We will all face various tests.  For example, there is the love test, which shows whether we will walk in the love of God even in the midst of difficult situations.  As we obey and do as God commands us, even when it doesn't make sense or when we must lay things down that we love, blessings are released to us.  And the greater the test or sacrifice, the greater the reward.  We pass God's test in order to receive God's best.

In Matthew 4:1-18, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted or tested of the devil.  The idea that the Holy Spirit would lead someone into a time of testing goes contrary to some people's theology, but the scripture is clear that Jesus was directed by the Holy Spirit to go to the desert for a time of testing.  Jesus overcame the test by speaking God's Word, which was what God wanted Him to do.  When Jesus returned from this period of testing, He walked in the Word and in the Holy Spirit's anointing.

When we pass tests we will walk in a greater revelation of God's Word and in greater power and anointing.  When we overcome, we cannot be overcome.

Jesus passed the ultimate test.  Denying His own will and obeying the will of the Father, He went to the cross for us.  Upon passing this test, God gave Him the highest position and name.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, andcoming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11 (NKJV)

Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV) says

That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

It is by both faith and patience that we inherit, possess, obtain the promises, just as Abraham and Jesus did.

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) states:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NKJV) goes on to say:

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

So, as long as we pass our tests, going through each scenario and situation successfully and victoriously, we will receive God's best.  We will receive the blessings for which we have been believing and waiting.  And in those times when we do not pass a test, we will simply end up going through a similar situation again in the future.  In other words, failure is not final- we will get to take the test again.

As we do God's will (His Word), we pass each test, and reward comes. And God's reward will be much greater than anything we gave up or were willing to give up to obey Him.  So, be diligent to pass your test and God will definitely bless you with His best.