The Test of a Lifetime - Create Church

Pastor Ryan Binkly

5-minute read

We all believe a story about ourselves.

Some of us believe the story that we’re a failure. Maybe we believe we’re a success. Maybe you believe you’re a great mom. Or father. Or entrepreneur. Maybe you believe a lie – that you’re defined by your greatest mistakes.

So how do you know if the story you believe is wrong?

This past Sunday I spoke on The Test of a Lifetime – specifically on how God’s purpose for tests is to know us, refine us, and bless us. King David, who was merely an adolescent when anointed as ruler, embodied dreams, ambition, and passion for life. He’s a memorable example to us today because the Bible uses his life as a mirror to reflect God’s truth into our own stories.

And God’s truth was most clear when David went through a test.

It’s like a roadmap. If David went through it, there’s a fair chance you’ll have to go through it too. Let me explain:

Have you ever felt the pain of rejection? It’s impossible to avoid. Attention from others is a basic human need. So when David’s father fails to present him as one of his own sons to the prophet Samuel, or when his own son, Absalom, rejected him as King, the sting of rejection becomes part of his personal story.

David had to experience the Test of Rejection.

Have you ever had to endure emotional turmoil, because of someone’s offense against you? Often there’s a valid reason for feeling offended and those feelings don’t go away quickly. There was even a time that King Saul threw a spear at him out of anger without reason. Another time, he was viciously mocked in his most desperate hour by a man named Nabal.

David had to experience the Test of Offense.

Have you ever realized that God places people in places of honor, despite us feeling contrary? At times, it is hard to ignore how people in authority often abuse their power. David experienced this with King Saul, during the time Saul was hunting David to kill him. David had a choice to make while Saul was defenselessly sleeping in a cave. Even over the opinion of David’s men, David recognized and respected the imperfect King. He understood that Saul was anointed King of Israel by God.

David had to experience the Test of Honor.

Have you ever been harshly embarrassed? Social media has made public shaming almost a daily activity. Sometimes it’s a simple misunderstanding, or, as David experienced first-hand, humiliation from his wife over his worship to the Lord.

David had to experience the Test of Humility.

Have your mistakes made others pay a high price? As a leader, your sins never affect just you. And even though the Bible names David a man after God’s own heart, it never shies away from the fact that David excused injustice, committed murder by proxy, had an affair, and neglected his sons. Yet in all these things, he made himself right with God.

David had to experience the Test of Repentance.

Do you want to discover your God-given purpose in life? Then I want you to believe something about your story: that you and King David are not so different. In fact, if we truly want to see the roadmap to our story, we can re-read these points, and replace David’s name with our own. By the end of it, we will better understand the importance of the tests in our lives and how we fit into the story of God. If you missed Sunday, or want to feel better equipped, you can watch this weekend’s message:

The Tests of a Lifetime HERE.

I pray you’re reminded of what David himself said,

“Know the God of your father and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.”