Why is Pain?
Fourth: Abraham and the divine test (1)

Sometimes, God allows us to suffer not in the purpose of purifying or shaping or protecting,  but to test us.  If we are tested and are passed then He will approve us: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

The Holy Bible mentions in Genesis that God has entered Abraham in a hard trial “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Genesis 22:2). After a long period of deprivation of children, the promise was achieved and Abraham had a son, but God has asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac as a burnt offering to test his faith. "Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham” ( Genesis 22:1). It’s a trial beyond human endurance; so after God gave him the son, he takes him back by slaughter ! What a hard test!

Brother, God is aware of Abraham’s tolerance strength so He did not give him a test beyond his endurance. Abraham has succeeded in the test therefore God says: "By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son — blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.  In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:16-18).

Here we wonder why Abraham enters into trials when he does not need purification, forming or protection! We also ask why God allows pain to his saints , men and servers in their final days after living their entire life obeying God and serving Him?! And if God’s purpose was to purify, shape or protect them, hasn’t been better these pains would have been in the beginning of their lives and not the end?! As a matter of fact, these pains have different purpose: they are to test the faith, approve it and reward it. Our God exposes us to such sufferings when he wants to reward us.

Every soul that got hurt on earth, will not only be purified, grown, formed, protected and tested when standing before the judgment seat of Christ, but also approved which means tested and passed. Therefore the Apostle Peter says on our faith: “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7); every soul will enjoy three things if tested and passed in the exam of faith; they are:- Praise, dignity and glory as they came through the Lord’s words:  "Well done, good and faithful servant (this is praise); you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things (this is dignity). Enter into the joy of your lord (here is glory)” ( Matthew 25:21).

Magdy Samuel