Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

Matthew 9

Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. v30-31

As Jesus continues His ministry, He raises a dead girl (whose father is a synagogue leader), heals a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, restores the sight of two men, and drove out the demon from a man.

Jesus gave a stern warning to the blind men not to speak of what they experienced (v30) but they spread news of Jesus all over the region.

Jesus of course knows what is to happen to Him and knows that regardless of what the blind men do, He will still go to the cross.  Yet this warning to the blind men makes me think of how Jesus provides these men an opportunity to be obedient - a test if you will. They fail, but Jesus does provide a "way out" (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

John Piper addresses such tests in the following posts.
Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?
Suffering That Strengthens Faith

In the latter post, Piper refers us to James 1:2, where we are warned of how we will face "trials of many kinds".  The definition of trial includes that of a "test" where we are intended to grow in our abilities, to perform to a higher level.  

Jesus does want us to grow.  See also

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

Proverbs 17

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. v3

God created us and did so for a reason and all the days of our lives are ordained by Him (Psalm 139) for His glory and purpose.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

God is always molding us and preparing us for our next tasks.  

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

So, gold and silver are refined through the crucible, God refines us...we must be aware of how God is preparing us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are there always for me, full of compassion, mercy, patience, encouragement, training, wisdom, etc.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I continue to lack patience and am quick to anger and slow to listen.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me be aware of how You are training me.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve and lead my family and serve You and the church.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. v23-24

We exist to glorify God - it is as simple as that. 

 

[The people] are the shoot I have planted,

the work of my hands,

for the display of my splendor.  Isiah 60: 21

 

If we exist to glorify God - if our mission is to glorify God, then we should have a vision to accomplish this, and we should seek God's guidance in prayer to ensure that our plan is aligned with His desires.  If we have a relationship with Jesus Christ and we have sought renewing of the mind by studying and knowing God's word, then we "will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).

 

Although we might not welcome tests such as those experienced by Job, we should have no problem asking God to test us, to perfect us, to refine us.  After all, this process will be good for us, pleasing to God and it helps us further our mission which is to glorify Him.

  

God - test me, purify me, refine me.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me...even though I very often lack compassion for others.  Please forgive me!  Thank You for Your patience but I am not worthy.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind....

Psalm 26

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind....v2

The Bible is full of men and women who were tested by God - think of Abraham, Moses, Joseph (Genesis 37), Job, Ruth, Mary and Joseph, Peter, Paul, John, etc. We often think of tests as bad - something for which we must prepare for and expend effort.  No doubt this is true by tests also serve our good and God's glory by refining our faith and removing impurities as we become more like Jesus - see also here. 

We should all come to a place where we admit we need God, that we are "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3).  When we invite God into our lives and heart and He becomes our Lord and Savior, we must be prepared for God to work His will in our lives.  We must understand that God ALREADY knows everything about us, our sin, and our heart.  Key, however, is that we need to willingly turn over our lives and submit full control over our lives to Him - see also here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of all, King of Kings, ruler of all the universe - seen and unseen.  You are great not only because of WHAT You reign, but also HOW You reign.  You left the right hand of God and took on human flesh, suffered and died for me, knowing everything about me.  Thank You Jesus for all that You are and for all that You have done and continue to do for me.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I continue to lack in patience, I worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.