The Test

June 13, 2009

Today's Reading: 2 Kings 17-19 and 2 Corinthians 13

Paul uses the word “test” a lot in 2 Corinthians 13. I think we as human beings hate the idea of it. Some people still have dreams that they are back in college or high school, and there is a test that he or she hasn’t studied for. Of course, we all know the necessity of tests. How are we going to know if something works, and can work again, unless we test it out.

As Paul says: “And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.”

Tests are always something that we need, but never want. The thing is, I think we all know that life is all one big test. Now, you can believe in Jesus Christ can get a certain A plus, or you can trust in your own works and hope for the best. I don’t know how to get the A without accepting Jesus death on the cross, but I know some great ways to cataclysmically fail.

For example, you could indulge in as much sins as possible, and worship something that you know not to be true. Israel was failing terribly, as instead of bowing down to their God, they went with the Baals and other gods that were strictly forbidden. They even worshiped the bronze snake that Moses had made. I can’t help but think that if Moses was alive, he would come out with that huge “God rod” and say: “what the hey, it’s not meant to be worshipped”

It would be like taking the SAT and making drawings with the ovals. Of course, life is not just one big test, but death is just the final! On the way there are quizzes, midterms, the unusual paper, and a pop quiz. So it is odd that Hezekiah knew what to do when Shalmaneser attacked.

He immediately prays to the Lord, and there doesn’t seem to be an answer right away. It was the right thing to do, and God probably rewarded him for his faithfulness by sending massive amounts of deliverance.

Of course, there is no guarantee that any reward will occur when a correct answer is given. However, as perfection is hard to achieve, it is completely tough to get it right every time.

However, celebrate when a test comes back with a big old A and put it on the fridge. Don’t you think Israel did after their deliverance.