God uses the hard moments, the scary situations, to shape our hearts. I’m sure you’ve had those times—maybe seasons—when you felt like things were just not going your way. Well, as you become your authentic self through God’s love, you will be put to many tests. How can you get through these tests and trials?
I believe there are four tests that can trip us up—arrogance, authority, advantage, and association. What follows is a description of each of these A’s. I’ll be using David (before he became king) as my example. His tests are a little more life-and-death than our own, but if he can be tested in these ways and “pass,” then so can we.
Test 1: Arrogance
A drama unfolded from the moment David stepped up to challenge Goliath. His first test was the arrogance test. When David showed up on the battlefield with a delivery of biscuits for his brothers, he already knew that he was God’s anointed and he was going to be king. But he didn’t flaunt that. When he decided to fight Goliath, he went to King Saul, the leader, and asked permission. Saul’s response, “You’re too small to fight him.”
David didn’t get mad or rebellious. Instead, he made a righteous appeal. He said, “But the Lord’s been with me. I’ve killed lions and bears that came against the flock of sheep that I have. He’s been with me, and he’ll be with me again.” Because of David’s humility, Saul changed his mind. (That, and nobody else stepped up to fight Goliath. So…)
David knew his love relationship with God. He trusted God’s purpose for his life. He accepted it without arrogance, secure in knowing that God would help him face Goliath.
Test 2: Authority
The second test David faced was the authority test. When David moved into the royal palace, King Saul was already struggling with jealousy. The first time Saul chucked a spear at David, David moved out. When conditions got better, David moved back in. This happened a few times, meaning that Saul had numerous opportunities to explore his own heart and make it right with God. But Saul wouldn’t, didn’t, and refused each chance he was given. Finally, Jonathan (Saul’s son and David’s best friend) helped David get out of Saul’s path for good.
Here’s what David did when he left. He didn’t dishonor Saul. He didn’t gossip. David trusted God to remove Saul from his position of authority in God’s own way and God’s own time. Until He did, David honored Saul as his leader and king.
Test 3: Advantage
The third test that David faced was the advantage test. God has a peculiar way of allowing our actions to come back around to us. Saul experienced that during an awkward moment with David that revealed to him his own jealousy and hatred.
As David wandered in the wilderness, a band of men started following him. Most of them were also running for one reason or another. One by one, their hearts were moved toward God like David’s. Together, they became friends and allies, with David as their leader. People around the country called them the “mighty men.” For years on the run, they lived by their wits, hiding in caves, sustained by the kindness of those who supported David and by the mighty hand of God. Infuriated by the same old grudge, jealousy, and fear, Saul tried to catch up with the band so he could get rid of David. Some people never learn.
One day while Saul was hunting David, nature called. Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. What he didn’t know was that David and his men were hiding farther back in the exact same cave. David had the advantage over Saul. But Saul, thinking he was alone in a private place, went about doing his business. #awkwardmoment
Perhaps on a dare from his men, or due to a whimsical moment of his own, or even because of a nudge from God, David snuck up behind King Saul with his knife. He could have killed him, but instead, he cut off a piece of Saul’s coat. Saul finished his bio break, gathered up his garments, and left the cave. Once Saul was beyond the range of a spear, David emerged from the mouth of the cave.
“Hey there!” he yelled, waving the piece of fabric in the air. “Missing something?” Saul and his men turned. Incredulous? Embarrassed? David went on, “Some of my men told me to kill you, but I didn’t. I told them I would never harm the king because you were God’s choice.”
In perhaps Saul’s best moment, one that proved he had at least a little heart, he shouted back to David, “You are a better man than I am. You repaid evil with good. You have been amazingly kind to me today. You could have killed me, but you didn’t.”
What would you do if you were abused, threatened, and mistreated, and then God placed the abuser’s fate in your hands? I’m thinking many of us would opt for revenge.
It’s natural to desire justification, but David knew better than to seek revenge on his own terms. He knew God’s job. He knew his job. Saul’s fate was above his pay grade. He stayed in his lane. He didn’t take advantage of a situation, no matter how much he may have wanted to.
Test 4: Association
The fourth test David faced was the association test. While David ran and hid, life elsewhere went on. Saul, Jonathan, and the army kept fighting the Philistines. Their final battle did not go well. Saul and three sons, including Jonathan, went down.
A man from the neighboring nation of Amalek raced to deliver the news to David. He tore his clothes and put dirt on his face as if he were mourning. He took some of Saul’s possessions to show David and thought, I’m going to be a millionaire. Then in triumph, he told David that his archenemy was dead and that he, the Amalekite, had killed him.
David saw it a little differently. He thought, Why would a foreigner who worshiped idols dare to lay hands on a leader chosen by the one true God? David asked, “Why were you not afraid to kill the king appointed by God?” By that point, the Amalekite was probably rethinking his position and starting to sweat. There was nowhere to run.
In the middle of facing test after test, David stayed connected with God. Although Saul had come against David many times, David didn’t let himself get caught up with hatred, bitterness, or even resentment. He didn’t even rejoice that his own ordeal was finally over. He chose to focus on the fact that great warriors who had protected Israel for years had fallen. He was no faker. He didn’t have to act as if he was mourning. He mourned.
How David lived his life up to this point shows us that understanding and accepting authority accelerates spiritual understanding and maturity. When David faced obstacles, he grew and matured.
Many of us need to learn to live like David. Yes, he definitely made mistakes, but God’s will was always his top priority. Consider the story we spoke about where David has the opportunity to kill Saul in that cave. Could he have killed Saul? Of course, everyone has free will, but it was not God’s will.
So, think about your life…God uses the rough spots in our lives. What He builds in our hearts through those experiences will never fade. You might not be able to change those experiences, but you can surrender yourself to God. You can trust His love. You can humble yourself to believe that He is on your side. And you can rely on Him to come through for you.
If you would like to go deeper into growing authentic relationships, especially with God, I invite you to grab a copy of my recently-released bestselling book, Overliked: Finding Direction, Courage, and Meaningful Relationships in a Society Crippled by Social Media. My prayer is that you can learn from the examples I share and live the life God has created you to live.
Until next Monday, lean into Jesus and the peace that only He can give.
~Pastor Rob
aka P-Ro