Testing Day

12:51 p.m. Today's project was to pray for our son Steven and his last final for this semester. Education is the way for young people to advance into productive careers, but as we all know, there are thousands of tests at each step of the way, from kindergarten through college. It's just a fact of civilized life. I have even read that primitive tribes take their boys out for tests of daring to prepare them for manhood. (The girls must be tested by their mothers in daily, necessary tasks--guess that's universal!)

As believers, we face tests every moment of every day. Will I give the Lord the best, freshest part of my day for prayer and Bible reading? Will I listen to the Holy Spirit in all situations, that I might have a refreshed and pleasant attitude when out in the world, giving people the benefit of the doubt, helping issues to work out well for all concerned? Will I give careful, patient and respectful attention to others when they are speaking, whether they are children or adults? We need to stay close to the Lord and be filled with His Spirit, don't we, if we expect to represent Him to our neighborhood, community, nation and world!

The leaders of nations, and nations themselves face tests of a different nature: leadership as unto the Lord and for His glory. The first king of Israel, Saul, started off well, winning tremendous military victories against the Philistines and Amalekites, but fell short before long.

I Samuel 15 recounts Saul's direct charge from God to conquer the Amalekites and destroy every last person and animal in divine vengeance for the way that nation had wickedly attacked the Israelites on their wilderness journey (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Instead, Saul not only spared Agag their king, but kept the best of the animals "to sacrifice," he claimed when confronted by the prophet Samuel for his disobedience. As a result, God told Samuel to let Saul know that his kingship had been revoked. Hear Samuel's words in verses 22-23:

Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

As in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,

And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,

He also has rejected you from being king.

Saul flunked the test.

Our nation is being tested today, the National Day of Prayer, and the last few weeks leading up to it, starting with a nefarious ruling by a judge that this prayer commemoration is illegal! All presidents since George Washington have called for national days of prayer, and the first Thursday of May has been codified in law as a national observance since 1952! Then, Franklin Graham was disinvited from the Pentagon as keynote speaker for today, for the crime of telling the truth about Islam. He attended anyway, praying outside for our military.

Our nation is being tested, and like Belshazzar in Daniel 5:26. Our days are numbered; we are being "weighed in the balances and found wanting." Yes, there are multiplied millions of us who serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but like no other time in the history of the United States, our faith is openly despised, mocked and the practice of our faith would be shunted out of public view if the enemies of God have it their way. There is no shame in these people, no fear of God! Philippians 3:19 describes them thus: "that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their minds on earthly things."

The Body of Christ is being tested today as well! Will we dare to pray in public, not just at church, like the college students who were suspended for praying with a faculty member--and recently won reinstatement and apology from the community college in a court victory? Will we speak out for our faith, mentioning the Lord openly in conversation anywhere, clearly and openly identifying with Jesus, claiming only "Him and Him crucified?" (I Corinthians 2:2) as the way to heaven? Will we give God the glory out loud when unbelievers compliment or congratulate us on a good outcome? Or will we choose a low profile, hoping everyone will like us?

Will we pass the test today? It's the life or death of our nation at stake!