" Though you test me, you will find nothing" (Psalm 17:3).
Everyone goes through a process of proving and testing.
Jesus taught that the seed falls on various types of ground, each type representing the human heart.
Each of us will be tested to see how well we battle the areas of unbelief, discouragement and distraction.
The birds (Matthew 13:4) all the demonic" thieves"
to us about the promises of God, tricking us into denying those promises.
The rocky soil (v.20,21) is the onslaught of discouraging problems and persecutions that come our way.
The thorny ground (v.22) involves the continual distractions of riches, pleasure and worldly things.
Joseph passed each test in his 13 years of Egyptian captivity.
Throughout those years, he never allowed himself to doubt or to become negative about God's promise that he would one day be a ruler.
He also never grew discouraged, though his way grew more difficult from the pit to the prison.
Finally, he never compromised with sin, even when Potiphars wife offered him everything in exchange for his purity.
As we pass God's test, he will take us from the pit to the prison to the palace!
Daily readings:
Genesis 39:1 – 41:16
Psalm 17:1 – 15
Proverbs 3:33 – 35
Matthew 12:46 – 13:23