Old Testament Genesis 28:1-29:35
New Testament Matthew 9:18-38
Psalm 11:1-7
Proverbs 3:11-12
Preparing for the Test
If you have ever attended a school for the purpose of getting an education then you know what it means to prepare for a test. It takes time to prepare for a test. Students prepare for test differently. Some take daily time to review the material and others set aside large chunks of time devoted to intense concentration. Then there is the highly popular and often least successful preparation of cramming. Cramming is where a student will spend only a few hours right before the test to learn, memorize, and understand the material. Some students are better at this than others. The reason students cram for a test is often a result of poor time management. The test has been on the calendar and they have often busied themselves with other duties, tasks, or entertainments resulting in a short window to prepare for the test.
This morning in Psalm 11 we read about how the Lord tests the righteous.
Psalm 11:5 5
The Lord tests the righteous,
In this Psalm the righteous are met with a sever crisis. The foundations of a justice society have been destroyed (v3) and the wicked have brazen bravado about them. They do as they please knowing they face little or no consequences for such living. The question follows “what can the righteous do?” The righteous must take refuge in the Lord (v1) even when the natural instinct is to depend on oneself and “flee like a bird” (v1).
American Christians are seeing the foundations of honor, truth, duty, and justice crumble quickly. For much of our history we have enjoyed these pillars in our society, but they are no longer to be assumed. In the days ahead for those who are determined to follow Jesus there will be a testing. Now there is the question of how are you going to prepare for the test? Daily preparation and review, large blocks of times set aside to understand, or to “cram” having no urgency or need to worry because there will be more time.
Fellow students, there is a test coming. Even though the Lord’s temple and throne are established in heaven and he sees the children of man (v4), he will allow the righteous to be tested. Take time now to prepare for the test, but do not lose heart, because the wicked will have to face the consequences for their actions in a time of the Lord’s choosing or ultimately when they face Him at the end of the age.
Here is how to past the test. Take refuge in the Lord. Be faithful in righteous living even when there is opposition. Behold his face. The last line of the Psalm encourages the righteous to behold the face of the Lord, which means daily time spent with him in order to know him. You cannot “cram” a relationship. To know him includes knowing his authority, protection, and care over you and his execution of justice over the wicked when the foundations have been destroyed.
Further Resources
Recently Desiring God Ministries has written book that can act as a study guide in preparation for the test. It is called Think it Not Strange: Navigating Trials in the New America.
You can get the ebook version free by clicking on the link.