“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

— John 6:5-6

God will test you to keep your heart pure before Him. But the tools of His tests are His Word and His Spirit. God is not crafting external tragedies to purify you, but He is speaking to your heart and presenting opportunities to increase your faith in Him.

In the passage above, Jesus “already knew” what He was going to do, He knew He would multiply the food and feed the people, but He invited His disciples into the process with a test, a question. Do you see it? The test Jesus gave was asking a question to see where they were in their hearts.

Your heart is the key. God is trying to stretch you to BELIEVE. Because when you believe, all things are possible. So God is not making your life hard to purify you. He’s inviting you into greater faith by presenting opportunities to believe.

If your heart is receptive, you’ll step into the opportunity, and He will manifest wonderful things through you. But if your heart isn’t ready, He continues to be God and looks for the next opportunity to help you grow.

Do you want to grow? Do you want to be ready when God presents the next opportunity? Here’s how.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

Don’t examine yourself to find sin, examine yourself to find faith. Examine yourself to see if you’re honest with yourself. Examine yourself to sell if you're allowing God to search your heart. Look into your heart and put the work in to be ready for the next time God presents you with an opportunity.

Labor to Rest

Walk through Psalm 19 and discover the power of honesty before the Lord. He's on your side, but you must be submitted to His precepts in your heart. Discover the power of allowing God to test your heart and invite you into greater faith.

Psalm 19 NASB

7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, Your servant is warned by them; In keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

13 Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be innocent, And I will be blameless of great wrongdoing.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.