Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. Psalm 7:9

It is common for people to have to take various types of tests throughout their lifetimes. Testing begins in school and never completely comes to an end. Most often tests are taken to know how much a person knows about some given subject or ability to do some type of task. These can be done for work or for personal needs. Outside of medical reasons, most do not think about having a test for their heart or mind.

David asks God to bring the wicked to an end and to establish the just, because God tests the hearts and minds.

Although people must take tests on a fairly regular basis, most do not like to take them. People fear failing the tests and do not want to look bad.

One type of test that people often overlook is the test that God gives concerning the heart and mind. Allowing trials and troubles to arise in the life of a believer is the most common way for God to test one’s heart and mind. The purpose of these challenges in one’s life is to see where the heart and mind are focused.

The world has a heart and mind focused on self and the here and now, not God and His kingdom, nor eternity. Believers need to be focused on what God desires first in their lives.

During a time of a testing, it will be determined who or what the believer will run to first. It will also be determined how the believer will react to the situation–whether one will get angry and sin or praise God, trusting Him in the situation.

God will have times in which He will allow a time of testing in your life. There will be difficulties that will arise to see where you stand with God and His commands.

Do not allow yourself to fall into the ways of the world of selfishness and sin, but give God praise and lean upon Him for strength and direction through the testing. Keep your heart and mind focused on who God is, what God is doing and what God can do, rather than what you can do or what the enemy can do. Pass this test with flying colors.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God with all of your heart and mind; that you will pass all the tests God gives you; and that you have a heart and mind after God’s heart and mind.

Picture by Ronaldo de Oliveira under Unsplash