2 Reasons Why God Tests Your Faith - Jackie Hill Perry on Genesis 22

The concept of testing is all throughout The concept of testing is all throughout scripture. Usually, it's explicit like scripture. Usually, it's explicit like scripture. Usually, it's explicit like in Exodus when God said he allowed in Exodus when God said he allowed in Exodus when God said he allowed Israel to be in the wilderness for 40 Israel to be in the wilderness for 40 Israel to be in the wilderness for 40 years to test them. Or in Luke 4 when it years to test them. Or in Luke 4 when it years to test them. Or in Luke 4 when it says that the Holy Spirit led Jesus in says that the Holy Spirit led Jesus in says that the Holy Spirit led Jesus in the wilderness to be tested. God tests the wilderness to be tested. God tests the wilderness to be tested. God tests for two reasons usually. To reveal and for two reasons usually. To reveal and for two reasons usually. To reveal and to refine. When a test is used to reveal to refine. When a test is used to reveal to refine. When a test is used to reveal something, what is exposed is whatever something, what is exposed is whatever something, what is exposed is whatever is in your heart. testing reveals what is in your heart. testing reveals what is in your heart. testing reveals what you really believe. If you really have you really believe. If you really have you really believe. If you really have faith, if there are a few idols hiding faith, if there are a few idols hiding faith, if there are a few idols hiding in a corner somewhere or a little pride in a corner somewhere or a little pride in a corner somewhere or a little pride that you didn't know you had, which is that you didn't know you had, which is that you didn't know you had, which is such a merciful thing for God to do such a merciful thing for God to do such a merciful thing for God to do because I don't know if you noticed, we because I don't know if you noticed, we because I don't know if you noticed, we tend to think really highly of tend to think really highly of tend to think really highly of ourselves. ourselves. ourselves. The natural state of the sinner as The natural state of the sinner as The natural state of the sinner as described in Romans 1 is that we think described in Romans 1 is that we think described in Romans 1 is that we think we are wise when we are fools. So we may we are wise when we are fools. So we may we are wise when we are fools. So we may have a self-conception that has nothing have a self-conception that has nothing have a self-conception that has nothing to do with reality but also we can get to do with reality but also we can get to do with reality but also we can get therapy. We can take an inagram test therapy. We can take an inagram test therapy. We can take an inagram test inagram three wing four and be as inagram three wing four and be as inagram three wing four and be as be as self-aware as possible and even be as self-aware as possible and even be as self-aware as possible and even then it is impossible for you to discern then it is impossible for you to discern then it is impossible for you to discern everything about yourself. So in God's everything about yourself. So in God's everything about yourself. So in God's sovereign compassion he will allow your sovereign compassion he will allow your sovereign compassion he will allow your kids to act up so you can see how kids to act up so you can see how kids to act up so you can see how impatient you are.

impatient you are. impatient you are. He'll let your money get funny so you He'll let your money get funny so you He'll let your money get funny so you can discern your greed or your distrust can discern your greed or your distrust can discern your greed or your distrust in God's provision. Tests reveal, but in God's provision. Tests reveal, but in God's provision. Tests reveal, but tests also refine. Peter said in 1 Peter tests also refine. Peter said in 1 Peter tests also refine. Peter said in 1 Peter 1:6, "Though now for a little while, if 1:6, "Though now for a little while, if 1:6, "Though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by necessary, you have been grieved by necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested various trials, so that the tested various trials, so that the tested genuiness of your faith, more precious genuiness of your faith, more precious genuiness of your faith, more precious than gold, that perishes though it is than gold, that perishes though it is than gold, that perishes though it is tested by fire." Imagine tested by fire." Imagine tested by fire." Imagine who you'd be if you didn't go through who you'd be if you didn't go through who you'd be if you didn't go through anything. anything. anything. If your faith was never challenged, If your faith was never challenged, If your faith was never challenged, if life never got hard and tense, if you if life never got hard and tense, if you if life never got hard and tense, if you never had any angst or confusion or never had any angst or confusion or never had any angst or confusion or anxiety about what to do or where to go anxiety about what to do or where to go anxiety about what to do or where to go and and who to trust without the and and who to trust without the and and who to trust without the refiner's fire, what would the quality refiner's fire, what would the quality refiner's fire, what would the quality of your life look like? of your life look like? of your life look like? I can bet that it might be easier, but I can bet that it might be easier, but I can bet that it might be easier, but would it be fruitful? would it be fruitful? would it be fruitful? Why? Because tests purify your faith. It Why? Because tests purify your faith. It Why? Because tests purify your faith. It is only fire that refineses gold and it is only fire that refineses gold and it is only fire that refineses gold and it is only trials that will refine you. And is only trials that will refine you. And is only trials that will refine you. And yes, I know, trust me, no discipline yes, I know, trust me, no discipline yes, I know, trust me, no discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but it will seems enjoyable at the time, but it will seems enjoyable at the time, but it will yield the peaceful fruit of yield the peaceful fruit of yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained righteousness to those who are trained righteousness to those who are trained by it. Circling back to Genesis 22, by it. Circling back to Genesis 22, by it. Circling back to Genesis 22, since this narrative is framed as a since this narrative is framed as a since this narrative is framed as a test, we can know that whatever God is test, we can know that whatever God is test, we can know that whatever God is doing with Abraham, it will reveal doing with Abraham, it will reveal doing with Abraham, it will reveal something to him and reveal something something to him and reveal something something to him and reveal something out of him. And what greater test is out of him. And what greater test is out of him. And what greater test is there for Abraham than for God to tell

there for Abraham than for God to tell there for Abraham than for God to tell him to sacrifice his son, the son he him to sacrifice his son, the son he him to sacrifice his son, the son he loves. Note that this is the first loves. Note that this is the first loves. Note that this is the first mention of the word love in the Bible, mention of the word love in the Bible, mention of the word love in the Bible, which is really fascinating to me that which is really fascinating to me that which is really fascinating to me that it's said in the context of sacrifice it's said in the context of sacrifice it's said in the context of sacrifice and not self-centeredness, but that's a and not self-centeredness, but that's a and not self-centeredness, but that's a completely different conversation. completely different conversation. completely different conversation. Anyway, one thing about this test is Anyway, one thing about this test is Anyway, one thing about this test is that if you're familiar with Abraham's that if you're familiar with Abraham's that if you're familiar with Abraham's story at all, if you followed his life story at all, if you followed his life story at all, if you followed his life up until this point, you know that this up until this point, you know that this up until this point, you know that this test actually isn't unfamiliar. test actually isn't unfamiliar. test actually isn't unfamiliar. Do you remember when God commanded Do you remember when God commanded Do you remember when God commanded Abraham in the beginning in Genesis 14, Abraham in the beginning in Genesis 14, Abraham in the beginning in Genesis 14, what he commanded him to do? He told him what he commanded him to do? He told him what he commanded him to do? He told him to leave his country, leave his family, to leave his country, leave his family, to leave his country, leave his family, leave his home, and go where God wanted leave his home, and go where God wanted leave his home, and go where God wanted him to go. Abraham then is well him to go. Abraham then is well him to go. Abraham then is well acquainted with God telling him to acquainted with God telling him to acquainted with God telling him to sacrifice stuff that he loves. Since sacrifice stuff that he loves. Since sacrifice stuff that he loves. Since Abraham was called, he was repeatedly Abraham was called, he was repeatedly Abraham was called, he was repeatedly tested. So even though sacrificing Isaac tested. So even though sacrificing Isaac tested. So even though sacrificing Isaac is an extreme test, God didn't start is an extreme test, God didn't start is an extreme test, God didn't start there. He has been readying Abraham's there. He has been readying Abraham's there. He has been readying Abraham's faith. So as the test got more intense, faith. So as the test got more intense, faith. So as the test got more intense, he had the stamina to endure it. Charles he had the stamina to endure it. Charles he had the stamina to endure it. Charles Spurgeon said this. He said, "The Lord Spurgeon said this. He said, "The Lord Spurgeon said this. He said, "The Lord knows how to educate you up to such a knows how to educate you up to such a knows how to educate you up to such a point that you can endure in your years point that you can endure in your years point that you can endure in your years to come what you could not endure today.

to come what you could not endure today. to come what you could not endure today. Just as today he may make you stand firm Just as today he may make you stand firm Just as today he may make you stand firm under a burden which 10 years ago would under a burden which 10 years ago would under a burden which 10 years ago would have crushed you into dust." Perhaps have crushed you into dust." Perhaps have crushed you into dust." Perhaps this is the reason you don't hear read this is the reason you don't hear read this is the reason you don't hear read anything about Abraham pushing back or anything about Abraham pushing back or anything about Abraham pushing back or asking questions. He just he just gets asking questions. He just he just gets asking questions. He just he just gets up and obeys. Verse three, Abraham rose up and obeys. Verse three, Abraham rose up and obeys. Verse three, Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his early in the morning, saddled his early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his men with him donkey, and took two of his men with him donkey, and took two of his men with him and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and for the burnt offering and arose and for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told went to the place of which God had told went to the place of which God had told him. In other words, Abraham obeyed him. In other words, Abraham obeyed him. In other words, Abraham obeyed immediately. immediately. immediately. Why? Why? Why? Because he had faith. Because he had faith. Because he had faith. The writer of Hebrews says that faith is The writer of Hebrews says that faith is The writer of Hebrews says that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the the assurance of things hoped for, the the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Another conviction of things not seen. Another conviction of things not seen. Another way to see it is that faith is an inner way to see it is that faith is an inner way to see it is that faith is an inner certainty regarding things you cannot certainty regarding things you cannot certainty regarding things you cannot see that engages your will, leading you see that engages your will, leading you see that engages your will, leading you to act in relation to what you believe. to act in relation to what you believe. to act in relation to what you believe. I'll say it again because y'all taking I'll say it again because y'all taking I'll say it again because y'all taking notes. Faith is an inner certainty notes. Faith is an inner certainty notes. Faith is an inner certainty regarding things you cannot see that regarding things you cannot see that regarding things you cannot see that engages your will leading you to act in engages your will leading you to act in engages your will leading you to act in relation to what you believe. For relation to what you believe. For relation to what you believe. For example, you ever seen one of those team example, you ever seen one of those team example, you ever seen one of those team building exercises called the trust building exercises called the trust building exercises called the trust fall? It's weird. Basically, fall? It's weird. Basically, fall? It's weird. Basically, one person stands on a platform with one person stands on a platform with one person stands on a platform with their eyes clo closed and their arms their eyes clo closed and their arms their eyes clo closed and their arms folded. Look like they're about to die.

folded. Look like they're about to die. folded. Look like they're about to die. Beneath them, behind them are co-workers Beneath them, behind them are co-workers Beneath them, behind them are co-workers or their team standing in the line with or their team standing in the line with or their team standing in the line with their arms out ready to catch not the their arms out ready to catch not the their arms out ready to catch not the bouquet, but the person. The reason it's bouquet, but the person. The reason it's bouquet, but the person. The reason it's a trust fall is that the person on the a trust fall is that the person on the a trust fall is that the person on the platform can't see nobody. Can't see the platform can't see nobody. Can't see the platform can't see nobody. Can't see the people behind them. So, they have to people behind them. So, they have to people behind them. So, they have to trust what they cannot see. But it trust what they cannot see. But it trust what they cannot see. But it wouldn't be enough for them to just say wouldn't be enough for them to just say wouldn't be enough for them to just say they trusted their team like, "Yeah, I they trusted their team like, "Yeah, I they trusted their team like, "Yeah, I trust you." And stay there. That's not trust you." And stay there. That's not trust you." And stay there. That's not good enough. Words are easy. Trust is good enough. Words are easy. Trust is good enough. Words are easy. Trust is actually realized when the person actually realized when the person actually realized when the person chooses to fall backwards. The inner chooses to fall backwards. The inner chooses to fall backwards. The inner certainty gave them confidence that certainty gave them confidence that certainty gave them confidence that their team would catch them even though their team would catch them even though their team would catch them even though they couldn't see them. And that they couldn't see them. And that they couldn't see them. And that certainty engaged their will which is certainty engaged their will which is certainty engaged their will which is why they chose to fall. I use this why they chose to fall. I use this why they chose to fall. I use this example because faith cannot be example because faith cannot be example because faith cannot be separated from behavior. Faith is at separated from behavior. Faith is at separated from behavior. Faith is at work in Abraham because remember God has work in Abraham because remember God has work in Abraham because remember God has made him a promise and Isaac is a made him a promise and Isaac is a made him a promise and Isaac is a pivotal piece of that promise. is Isaac pivotal piece of that promise. is Isaac pivotal piece of that promise. is Isaac dies. The promise does too. The dies. The promise does too. The dies. The promise does too. The irrationality of it all doesn't seem to irrationality of it all doesn't seem to irrationality of it all doesn't seem to hinder Abraham, though. I think any hinder Abraham, though. I think any hinder Abraham, though. I think any rational person would be like, "Um, God, rational person would be like, "Um, God, rational person would be like, "Um, God, this test ain't it. There has to be this test ain't it. There has to be this test ain't it. There has to be another way. Tell people to steal my another way. Tell people to steal my another way. Tell people to steal my donkeys and burn down my tents, but donkeys and burn down my tents, but donkeys and burn down my tents, but don't make me sacrifice my son." But the don't make me sacrifice my son." But the don't make me sacrifice my son." But the thing is, Abraham isn't like me. He thing is, Abraham isn't like me. He thing is, Abraham isn't like me. He doesn't barter with God. He is certain doesn't barter with God. He is certain doesn't barter with God. He is certain that God is going to do what he said he that God is going to do what he said he that God is going to do what he said he would do because he is God. So because would do because he is God. So because would do because he is God. So because he believes and trusts God, he behaves he believes and trusts God, he behaves he believes and trusts God, he behaves accordingly. Says that he woke up early

accordingly. Says that he woke up early accordingly. Says that he woke up early in the morning, cut the wood, that he in the morning, cut the wood, that he in the morning, cut the wood, that he would sacrifice his son on and he goes would sacrifice his son on and he goes would sacrifice his son on and he goes to the place that God told him to go to. to the place that God told him to go to. to the place that God told him to go to. Then we finally get an idea of what's in Then we finally get an idea of what's in Then we finally get an idea of what's in Abraham's mind in verses five and six. Abraham's mind in verses five and six. Abraham's mind in verses five and six. Look at it. It says, "On the third day, Look at it. It says, "On the third day, Look at it. It says, "On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to place from afar. Then Abraham said to place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, stay here with the his young men, stay here with the his young men, stay here with the donkey. I and the boy will go over there donkey. I and the boy will go over there donkey. I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." and worship and come again to you." and worship and come again to you." Do you hear his faith? Do you hear his faith? Do you hear his faith? Somewhere in between Somewhere in between Somewhere in between God telling him to sacrifice Isaac and God telling him to sacrifice Isaac and God telling him to sacrifice Isaac and him getting the wood, he has concluded him getting the wood, he has concluded him getting the wood, he has concluded that after he has killed his son, Isaac that after he has killed his son, Isaac that after he has killed his son, Isaac is going to come back. is going to come back. is going to come back. How does he know that? Who who or what How does he know that? Who who or what How does he know that? Who who or what is he trusting to make him so certain? is he trusting to make him so certain? is he trusting to make him so certain? It's simple. He believes God. NOT MERELY It's simple. He believes God. NOT MERELY It's simple. He believes God. NOT MERELY THE PROMISE of God, but the person of THE PROMISE of God, but the person of THE PROMISE of God, but the person of God. because the promise is only God. because the promise is only God. because the promise is only trustworthy because the one who made the trustworthy because the one who made the trustworthy because the one who made the promise cannot lie. So, so it's the very promise cannot lie. So, so it's the very promise cannot lie. So, so it's the very nature of God that Abraham has nature of God that Abraham has nature of God that Abraham has considered and in so doing he has considered and in so doing he has considered and in so doing he has reckoned that because God cannot lie he reckoned that because God cannot lie he reckoned that because God cannot lie he is obviously going to do something to is obviously going to do something to is obviously going to do something to ensure that Isaac ultimately doesn't ensure that Isaac ultimately doesn't ensure that Isaac ultimately doesn't die. The writer of Hebrews said this. By die. The writer of Hebrews said this. By die. The writer of Hebrews said this. By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, faith, Abraham, when he was tested, faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. And he who had offered up Isaac. And he who had offered up Isaac. And he who had received the promises was in the act of

received the promises was in the act of received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was offering up his only son, of whom it was offering up his only son, of whom it was said, through Isaac shall your offspring said, through Isaac shall your offspring said, through Isaac shall your offspring be named. He considered that God was be named. He considered that God was be named. He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead. H able even to raise him from the dead. H able even to raise him from the dead. H wait, we are in Genesis 22, right? Amen. wait, we are in Genesis 22, right? Amen. wait, we are in Genesis 22, right? Amen. No. Yes. Okay. So, we are centuries No. Yes. Okay. So, we are centuries No. Yes. Okay. So, we are centuries before Elijah raises a widow's son from before Elijah raises a widow's son from before Elijah raises a widow's son from the dead. We are we are centuries more the dead. We are we are centuries more the dead. We are we are centuries more from when Jesus raised Lazarus. Easter from when Jesus raised Lazarus. Easter from when Jesus raised Lazarus. Easter ain't on Abraham's radar. ain't on Abraham's radar. ain't on Abraham's radar. He don't got a clue about pastel outfits He don't got a clue about pastel outfits He don't got a clue about pastel outfits and shiny white shoes. There has yet and shiny white shoes. There has yet and shiny white shoes. There has yet there has yet to be an empty tomb for there has yet to be an empty tomb for there has yet to be an empty tomb for him to base his faith on. So, how is it him to base his faith on. So, how is it him to base his faith on. So, how is it then that Abraham knew the very concept then that Abraham knew the very concept then that Abraham knew the very concept of resurrection was even possible? of resurrection was even possible? of resurrection was even possible? I think that before Abraham rose early I think that before Abraham rose early I think that before Abraham rose early in the morning while while he thought in the morning while while he thought in the morning while while he thought about what God was calling him to do and about what God was calling him to do and about what God was calling him to do and that it meant that he have to put his that it meant that he have to put his that it meant that he have to put his son to death. I think I think Abraham son to death. I think I think Abraham son to death. I think I think Abraham remembered his own body and how God had remembered his own body and how God had remembered his own body and how God had brought life from death before. So brought life from death before. So brought life from death before. So surely he could do it again. Unless you surely he could do it again. Unless you surely he could do it again. Unless you think I'm just making up stuff. I want think I'm just making up stuff. I want think I'm just making up stuff. I want you to remind you of Romans 4:19 which you to remind you of Romans 4:19 which you to remind you of Romans 4:19 which says this. He Abraham did not weaken in says this. He Abraham did not weaken in says this. He Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body faith when he considered his own body faith when he considered his own body which was as good as dead or when he which was as good as dead or when he which was as good as dead or when he considered the barrenness of life or considered the barrenness of life or considered the barrenness of life or lifelessness of Sarah's womb. The word lifelessness of Sarah's womb. The word lifelessness of Sarah's womb. The word dead here literally means corpse-like.

dead here literally means corpse-like. dead here literally means corpse-like. So then God had to resurrect their So then God had to resurrect their So then God had to resurrect their bodies in a real sense so as to give bodies in a real sense so as to give bodies in a real sense so as to give them the power to create life in the them the power to create life in the them the power to create life in the form of Isaac. Abraham had the audacity form of Isaac. Abraham had the audacity form of Isaac. Abraham had the audacity to say that he and Isaac would go to say that he and Isaac would go to say that he and Isaac would go worship and return because he remembered worship and return because he remembered worship and return because he remembered that God had did it before.