The Motive Behind Testing…..

Gideon tested God when he was told to go to war with the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the East. His faith wavered, so he asked for a sign. Some people would question Gideon’s actions. Did he have weak faith or was he just being human? I think the answer is both. God said it’s okay to test Him; it’s the only way to know if our faith is real. Just know that if you put God to the test, His response will be determined by your willingness to accept His response. If your testing is genuine, He will respond with a comprehensive answer. If your testing comes from the wrong motive, your answer may not be what you’re looking for. Gideon’s Heart was in the right place when he asked God for a sign, using the fleece as the determining agent. Once God answered him, he did great things for his people. His genuine response to God’s answer solidified his faith. This allowed him to become the leader (Judge) Israel needed to deliver them from their enemies. Do you ever ask God for a sign? Do you get answers? If you don’t, do you ever examine your motives? The times you get answers, is it because your willingness to be faithful regardless of the cost? Think about that for minute. Now take the time to examine your faith; think about how it developed. I’ll bet your progress was due to your heart being in the right place.

33 Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded.36 Then Gideon said to God, “If You are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as You promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to help me rescue Israel as You promised.” 38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew. Judges 6:33-40