Why Trials?

Why trials?

I've heard it said too many times, unfortunately, that God does not cause, or bring, trials into the life of a believer.

However, Psalm 66:9-10 sheds some light on this question:

Psa 66:8-12  Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard,  (9)  Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.  (10)  For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.  (11)  You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.  (12)  You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Notice some of the things that the Psalmist says that God does in the life of a believer:

1. He does not allow our feet to be moved.

2. God tests us.

3. God refines us, by turning up the heat in our lives, to burn away any impurities from us, to make us more like Jesus Christ.

4. He leads us into the net--that is, into the trial of affliction.

5.He causes men to ride over us. Perhaps to totally rid us of ourselves, and any pride.

6. He causes us to go through the fire (Dan 3:21)

7. He delivers us in due time.

This shouldn't surprise us. The Bible said that this was part of the sanctification process:

Romans 8:29 says, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Why trials?

To make us more like the Son of God!

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it." (1 Cor 10:13)

God is sovereign. He reserves the right to use any means necessary to bring about His will.

God is the One who refines us. Not Satan.