"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." -Mosiah 23:21
A strong statement. Made by Mormon, abridging the book of Mosiah. And it is nothing more nor less than the truth.
The Lord needs to know whether or not we will remain faithful, or if we will fold. To know if we will be tried and remain true, or be beaten and dissent. He needs to know if we can be trusted with his authority, with his blessings, with his power, and with his name.
In order to make sure that a man is trustworthy in the work-field, a family might have the man prove himself first by a certain number of tests. If the man were a carpenter, one would be able to judge quite well his work if one were to ask for a few simple things first, before having the man take on the larger challenge.
If the man was able to deliver the desired product in the desired amount of time in a way that pleases you, you know that the man will be hired for the larger job.
If the small job, however, is not to your liking; he took too long, it did not come out has you had asked, and he was rude about the whole ordeal - perhaps even complaining about how difficult it was - you for SURE would not even think to trust him with a larger project.
How many of us complain about the tests and trials in our life? How many of us end up showing the Lord that we cannot be trusted because we do not have in our mind the eternal perspective needed. How many of us have complained to the Lord, saying it is too difficult, and that we will not be able to do it, when in reality, He's waiting to give us so many wonderful blessings and bigger jobs and blessings if we do the smaller ones right.
My testimony is that the Lord works line upon line, precept upon precept. It is through testing and trials of our faith and patience that he teaches us.
Thanks.
