Reflections From The Psalms
The Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates. (Ps. 11:5)
The contrast in this verse is striking. On the one hand we are told what the Lord hates. But this is contrasted over and against those who are righteous in Christ – those whom God loves. And clearly, one way in which God expresses His love is by, “trying the righteous.”
When the Bible speaks of, “trying, trials, or testing,” it is NOT talking about God putting people into situation in order to see whether they have faith. Nor is it a matter of God playing a game – sort of like drawing a line and daring us to step over it. Rather, the core meaning of a TRIAL of faith is that faith is being refined, purified, and even built. Thus, trials are not a punishment. They are God’s love being expressed in that He is bringing us out of our limited relationship with Himself into one of greater freedom.
Hebrews states, “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” (Heb. 12:6) The word translated, “receives,” could be rendered, “positions.” God is chastising us – that is, training us – so that we can be positioned in Christ to live with Him forever in eternal inheritance. But we must interpret these things in the eternal sense. For God is making us, “partakers of his holiness.” (Heb. 12:10) This is certainly for now, but it is more so for the ages yet to come.
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