TODAY'S TEST
Today's reading: Judges 3-4, Luke 17:11-17, Psalm 73:21-28

"These people were left to test the Israelites--to see whether they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses." Judges 3:4 NLT

The Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians and Hivites were left, by God, in the Promised Land for the Israelites to drive out.

The Israelites had a choice: leave them there and risk contamination, from their gods and from disobedience to what God had asked of them, or fight them--destroy them and claim ALL God had given as their special possession.

You guessed it, maybe from personal experience, they took the easier way out.

They just knew, as I'm sure we all do, that their faith was stronger than to be swayed by outside forces.

They decided, as quite possibly you have, that they knew better than God. Oh, not that they would ever put it that way, but it's what was implied.

So here is what I understand...

Today I will come across tests of my faith and love and desire to obey God.

It may be in the form of actual people, circumstances, thoughts that arise in my mind or opportunities to choose between what is good versus what is better.

I have to see those tests as from God.

I have to know, right out of the gate, that the choice is mine.

Will I choose obedience?

Will I choose to believe God?

Will I choose what is commanded of me--or what is easiest on me?

The tests are coming, friends. I want to pass with flying colors!