Special Tests for Special Purposes – Part 14

Endurance is an essential element of victorious Christian living and it can only be cultivated by enduring. Once we accept this fact, we can begin to respond rightly to each test that comes our way and we can count it all joy, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience (endurance). James 1:12 NKJV “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” But be warned that we must let patience have its perfect work.

James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” In other words, we must continue to endure until God’s purpose has been fully worked out and He brings the test to an end. Very seldom does God tell us in advance, “This test will last six months.” So it may happen that after five and a half months a person will say, “I can’t take any more of this; I give up!”

How sad! Another 15 days of enduring and God’s purpose would have been accomplished. Yet now such a person will have to undergo another test, designed to deal with the same character defect. In fact, God will not withdraw His test until His purpose has been accomplished.