We remember them. In school, our pulses would quicken, our hands would get sweaty, and we would go into a panic when the teacher passed out the tests. If we really wanted to sweat, try to take a pop quiz that we knew we weren’t prepared for.

Now, as we grow older – our pulses still race, and our hands still get sweaty as we hear a doctor say “I’m going to run a bunch of tests.” Now, we know that we cannot get prepared for them – we just have to await the outcome and live with what we find out.

In Scripture God said that he gave many people tests. Notice:

Exodus 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. NKJV

Exodus 20:20-21 And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin." 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. NKJV

Deuteronomy 8:16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end — NKJV

Judges 2:22 so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not." NKJV

Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. NKJV

2 Corinthians 2:9-11 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test , whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. NKJV

Revelation 3:10-11 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. NKJV

I have always wondered if God, on Judgment Day, gave us all tests – would we pass? Guess what! Preparation time is here and now. The tests God gives are His statutes and commands – and He watches to see if we will do them. It is not enough for us to know what He has told us to do – no – these tests will be hands on experience. He will be watching to see if we will love Him enough to obey Him. You see, we can say we love God all day long – but the proof is in the doing (John 14:15). Pretty simple, huh!

Are you getting a little sweaty? Is your pulse quickening somewhat? We can prepare – NOW – for the greatest test of all – if we have lived up to what God has told us to do. But it has to start now! Will you pass?