Pop Quizzes

One of the first things that often comes to mind when we go through difficulties is, What have I done to deserve such a thing? But it is important for us to know that God does have lessons He wants to teach us during trials. I definitely want to learn what He is trying to teach so that He doesn’t have to repeat the lesson later on.

Remember in school when the teacher would announce, “Class, today I am going to give you a pop quiz”? Those who hadn’t studied weren’t ready for the test.

God gives pop quizzes too. There are times when He will bring certain tests into our lives. We find a good example of this in a test Jesus gave His disciples. The multitudes came wanting to hear Him, and they were all hungry. John 6:5–6 tells us, “Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’ But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.” Jesus wanted to see if His disciples were learning anything. Jesus wanted them to say, “Lord, you are the Creator of the universe. You have a plan. We trust You.”

God will test you because He wants you to grow up. He wants you to mature. He wants you to develop a walk with Him that is not based on your fluctuating emotions, but on your commitment to Him as you learn to walk by faith. When a crisis hits, you will see how much faith you really have.