tests our faith is to equip us for helping other people. One whose
104 The Life that Wins
throws doubts and troubles at us. But by testing our faith, God shuts up the mouth of Satan. For the latter discovers that we are no easy prey, and he will thus retreat. If possible, he will always attempt to hinder us from living peacefully and having the blessings of God. He will not give up till he himself is shut up. In order to shut the mouth of Satan, God must try our faith.
4. That We May Help Other People. Another reason why God tests our faith is to equip us for helping other people. One whose faith has not been tested is unable to help others. People can only receive help from the one whose faith has been proven. One's faith is undependable if he professes to have believed and yet his faith has not been tried. But a truly tested faith renders Satan helpless; and such faith helps the whole church.
Unquestionably, a faith that has been tested and proven is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1.7).
The Relationship between Faith Tested and Victory
The reason for the testing of our faith is to show us what faith really is. Genuine faith is long-lived. Whatever is short-lived is not faith. Genuine faith is that which can believe after days or months or years. It is able to endure obstacles once and many times over. It will continue to believe after being tested to the seventh time. A so-called short-lived faith that is terminated after one encounter with difficulty is no faith at all.
The Scriptures show us that victory comes through believing the word of God. God has said that His Son is our life, our head, our victory, our sanctification, our power. And we know that He bears all our burdens, takes care of all our responsibilities, supplies us with patience and gentleness, and supports us from within. Thank and praise the Lord! We believe and we know. Such faith nonetheless will have to be tested.