Lord, Prepare Us for the Test by Increasing Our Faith

Today's devotion, Lord, prepare us for the test by increasing our faith. A friend of mine sent me these words in a text message.

The difference between school and life. In school you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.

School gives you content that will prepare you for the test. But life sometimes gives you tests that you are not prepared for. In life you will not be tested on your strength.

You'll be tested on your weakness. There are some tests in life that will send you to prison when you fail it. If you have a weakness being around money and you are going through financial challenges, you will learn that embezzlement can lead you to imprisonment.

If a student is caught cheating on a test in school, the teacher has the right to confiscate their paper and they may eventually fail that test. If we fail to adhere to rules and regulations in school and in life, the consequences will be similar. It may be detention, expulsion or termination.

Life comes with many tests. Some will test your integrity. Some will test your patience and some will test your faith.

We don't choose our tests. They are given to us. We would never take them otherwise.

It is our tests in life that will help us to build a closer relationship with God. In 1 Peter 4 verse 16 it is written, Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let them not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. And in Revelation 2 verse 10 it is written, Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.

Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and your mercy.

We pray for the students in school that are tested and they are being influenced to go into the wrong crowd, to do the wrong things, and they are also tempted to go to the wrong places. Lord, I pray for those who are overwhelmed with different types of challenges, and they seem to be coming one behind another. Give them the strength and perseverance to overcome their difficulties with faith, hope, and wisdom.

All these we ask in Jesus' name, Amen.