100 Days with David 2025 Day 83: Testing from the Lord is for our benefit.

“Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66:9-12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It’s always interesting to me to see what goes on inside product test facilities. For example, in the testing of the nonstick coating on cookware, you’ll see pots lined up under mechanical “hands,” going round and round on one place with some abrasive material, until there is a failure of the coating. Not only is this done to compare one product with another, but also to determine what can be expected out of this particular product, what claims can be made about it, as well as how the product can be improved.

And, how about that recliner you’re sitting in? A prototype of it was probably subjected to repeated opening and closing to see how long it takes for the mechanisms to wear out. [As an aside, they need to keep testing until they come up with a better pull, one that doesn’t fray and break within just a few months.]

Probably, the most “famous” type of test facility, is an automobile crash test facility. Here, they take different vehicles, and literally do things like run them into walls just to see how they hold up. As well, with the addition of test dummies in the vehicles, they can observe to what degree the vehicle protects people from serious injury from an accident.

Sometimes, tragic consequences occur when products have not been properly tested to determine their limits or their vulnerabilities. As a matter of fact, that’s what the whole recall system is about. Weaknesses or failures are found in actual usage rather than having been detected in product testing. Tragically, sometimes the undetected flaw has proven to produce fatalities.

Product testing is important. We all know that. We even recognize the need for thorough testing of people before embarking on something like military duty or entering some risky profession like being a fire fighter. But—when it comes to us—when it comes to the testing of our mettle by the Lord, we may become quickly discouraged, wondering why we must endure such tests.

It is crucial for us to realize that the testing of the Lord is not arbitrary or capricious. His testing is meant to expose weaknesses so that they can be corrected. As well, the pressure of the testing can make us grow our spiritual “muscles” just as resistance training can help us grow our physical muscles.

Indeed, the patient enduring of testing, is critical to our spiritual development and wellbeing.

“For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see David (although David is not listed in the title as the author of this psalm, it is clearly written in the Davidic tradition and there is no reason to believe it was not written by David) commenting that the testing of the Lord is necessary and refines those who are being tested. Additionally, elsewhere, we see David actually inviting the testing of the Lord:

“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭26:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Of course, few people want to have to endure harsh testing. However, testing is part of a necessary process, made only more difficult and lengthy when resisted and/or resented.

But notice, if we patiently endure testing, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us through it, the result will be, “rich fulfillment.”

For today let us know and understand what David knew:

Testing from the Lord is for our benefit.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!