This Might Be the Hardest Temptation You Ever Face

Life is full of times of testing. Toward the end of his life, I see King Hezekiah in the midst of a test (2 Chron. 32:31). Throughout his reign, in spite of great adversity, he had accomplished much. Then, when the Babylonians came and “lusted” after the fruit of his labors, the condition of King Hezekiah’s heart was once again tried and revealed, in this case through his desire to flaunt his wealth before the Babylonians. His riches were the evidence of his accomplishments. Most of us can relate to this temptation to “show off” our accomplishments.

1 Corinthians 10:13 declares that hardships and trials come into our lives, not to break us, but to build and strengthen us that we might persevere and ultimately overcome. Our time here on earth is temporary, a security deposit for the life to come. The challenges we face help us graduate.

What is it that we have to look forward to? “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

In 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, we are commissioned to be God’s servants here on earth. As His stewards, we should be found faithful, persevering and therefore representing God’s kingdom on earth. We are to look at ourselves as visitors on this earth, not allowing the things of this world to possess our hearts. God will test our hearts as he did with King Hezekiah to see if what we have built here on earth, even those things He asked us to, have replaced God Himself. Have our accomplishments in this world become replacements in our lives for the things of the eternal kingdom? Have they distracted us from our duty to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth?

We are expected to be loyal to His call. Remember you are only a visitor in this world—God’s deposit on this earth. May we hear these words from the Lord, “Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:23). {eoa}

This article originally appeared at tikkun.tv.