Opportunity to Trust

Moses said to the Israelites, remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart. . . . (Deut 8:2a NKJV)

When reading that verse, it is important to remember that God doesn’t send tests to see how well His people will do. He sends them as opportunities. We can choose Him or not choose Him. And no one—not even God—predetermines responses during a time of testing. Every person—or every nation—is free.

Nor is God a passive spectator. Because He cares so much, He interacts with individuals and with nations, working to bring them to a place where they have greater opportunity to make the right choices.

When the Israelites came to the end of their long journey through the Wilderness and were about to enter the Promised Land, God reminded them of the blessings He had provided: Your garments did not wear out on you or did your foot swell these forty years. (v. 4) That was the case even though he often allowed hardship before He provided. He allowed them to experience hunger, thirst, failure, attack from hostile armies, etc. Each trial was an opportunity to trust Him—to walk in his ways and to fear Him. (v. 6b)

Originally published July 3, 1987.