Continuously being tested by God.

We all get tested by God at some point in our lives. But sometimes we are continuously tested by Him. It is because we haven’t yet reached the maturity that He desires for us, or because we haven’t gained the strength or understanding from previous tests. Let’s look at some of the things that happen when God continuously tests us.

One of the best examples of a continuous test of God is how the Israelites faced difficulty finding water. Traveling in the desert, it was inevitable that they would face difficulty finding both water and food. Interestingly, God made a permanent arrangement for the Israelites’ food while they were traveling in the desert. He made it possible by providing them with manna every day except for Sabbaths. However, He did not offer a permanent solution for the water problem. God could have easily provided rain in the desert every day, which would have quenched the Israelites’ thirst and prevented them from grumbling.

On our life’s journey, we may face many difficulties. While He will help us, sometimes He may not provide immediate or complete solutions. In these times, we are called to trust in Him and hold onto whatever He has already given us.

Yes, we receive our daily “manna”, God’s sustaining word, which strengthens us each day. He faithfully provides this manna, ensuring it remains fresh even on the Sabbath. However, the analogy extends further. Just as water is essential to digest food, the Holy Spirit is necessary to truly understand and apply God’s word. Perhaps God allows us to experience a thirst for the Holy Spirit, motivating us to seek Him more fervently. Ultimately, He desires for all of us to be filled with His Spirit.

So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. Exodus 15:23

The first time the Israelites were tested, or perhaps better said, when they faced difficulty finding water, the water was actually present right before them. However, it was bitter and undrinkable. When they grumbled, God provided a solution. He showed Moses a piece of wood that would heal the water.

Similarly, in our own lives, God may sometimes show us things we need to do to make the water “sweet”. Just as He showed Moses the piece of wood, He may reveal areas in our behaviour, habits, thoughts, or actions that need correction to access the sweetness.

The Lord answered Moses, “Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the Elders of Israel.  Exodus 17:5

This is the second time when God tested the Israelites. Israelites as usual failed in their test because they grumbled against God. But the interesting thing to note about the solution for the problem was that God told Moses to gather the elders of Israel. Before this God had showed the solution to only Moses but here some of the elders are given the chance to witness or better say to become a part of the solution. They were to gather round the rock.

We also see in Numbers 20:8 that the Israelites faced a test for the third time. Here, God instructed Moses to gather the assembly of Israel and speak to the rock, and it would provide water. There are many reasons God allows us to undergo tests continuously.

• First, He desires for His people to grow. During the first test, God used Moses. In the second, some elders of Israel came forward. Now, in the third test, the assembly of Israel gathered. (Mainly the representatives of each clan or families.)
• Second, God wants us to learn about Him. Through each test, we gain a deeper understanding of His nature. As we face challenges, we learn more and more about God. Many preachers have preached how the striking of the rock and speaking to the rock symbolize Christ’s crucifixion. So, in our tests God really tries to show us His nature. He reveals Himself to us during these times.

Therefore, God’s continuous tests help us grow spiritually and develop a deeper understanding of his nature.

So the question arises: When will these continuous tests end? When will God stop testing us? The answer might lie in Numbers 21:16-17.

From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together and I will give them water.” Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Sing about it, about the well that the princess dug, that the nobles of the people sank – the nobles with sceptres and staffs.”

This passage suggests that the tests may not stop until the whole people of Israel, learn to stop grumbling and instead start singing praises. In this scenario, the Israelites saw a well and erupted in praise instead of grumbling for water. They sang for the well to spring up, and from that moment on, they did not face water troubles. 

However, you may still question God: Why did we have to suffer? What good did we learn?

“Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s highway until we have passed through your territory.” Numbers 21:22

Maybe God was preparing you in these tests just so you could say these sentences to the enemy. “Hey enemy! I don’t need your vines, your food, or your water. Because I know a God who can provide all these things. He was able to make bitter water sweet, He was able to bring water from the rock. He was able to feed us in the desert. So, we don’t need your food or water. We are independent. Even if you block our path, we will fight and win because our God is with us!”

God trains us through tests so that we can ultimately proclaim such bold declarations to the enemy. These trials help us break any claim the enemy might have on us. They ensure the enemy cannot say we were dependent on them for food and water. No, we must learn that God is all we need, fully capable of sustaining our lives.

How many of us can cultivate true faith in God and trust Him to guide us through challenges? These challenges can strengthen our faith and teach us more about Him. There is a place in which God continuously tests the people, and that place is none other than the QUIVER OF GOD.