Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. - Gen. 22:1 NIV
There is a big difference between being tested and being tempted. Enemies tempt, friends test. Enemies tempt us because they know it may bring about our downfall. Friends test because it they know it will make us a better, stronger person. Satan only tempts us. He is not interested in our well-being. He is not interested in our becoming better, in our becoming all we were created to be. He is only interested in destroying the promise.
God, on the other hand is our friend. He doesn't want to see us torn down, only brought up. All of the testing that we receive of God is for our own good. It is important to recognize the difference. God tries us to prove what we are made of. Just as the dross is separated from gold when it is melted down, it is when we are tried in the fire that our love for the Father, if it is true, is shown. As God told Abraham when he stopped him from sacrificing Isaac, "Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” - Gen. 22:12 NIV
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