Tested Devotion

Very few Christian people realize the importance of testing throughout our lives. In fact the term “testing” usually issues a connotation of fear or at least discomfort. History students usually enjoy the stories that complete our knowledge of how our nation grew and prospered. The discussions open avenues of learning by giving us the opportunity to tell others about our experiences that have created special knowledge and understanding. Even more important, the discussions provide us opportunities to listen to others who are more knowledgeable and learn from their experiences that we have never had. The history class moves forward through the entire semester; from about August 25 until about December, 20 as a wonderful learning experience with no glitches and then the teacher announces that FINAL TEST will be tomorrow. For some reason the announcement of a test that will determine our semester grade sets off an emotional fear that we may have not learned well. A condition exist that will determine my success or failure. For some reason, I am not to blame; someone else placed this burden on me. Why should I have to take a final exam?

Many of us have experienced having skin cancer. We have gone through a period that included diagnosis, treatment or even surgical removal of a tumor that was either positive or negative. This experience can end with a happy announcement that the cancer is no longer present. The final disclosure depends on the results of a scientific test that proves that we are free from any continuing cancerous conditions. I did not want to take the test because it may prove that I have a serious problem.

Abiding faith in God and our devotion to Him starts when we accept Jesus as our Savior. It also will finally be proven by the final test we use to prove that we depend upon God. Some of us will trust in God’s providence and humbly look to the Lord for help and strength in our time of need. It is sad, but some of us grow bitter in our circumstances and even give up when we are asked to take the final test. The proven response is for us to grow in our devotion to the Lord even when life grows more difficult.


The successful completion of a semester study of history depends on the results of an important test. Whether we still have cancer or not depends on the results of a final lab test that proves the treatment was successful. Finally, I have shown you that your devotion to Almighty God will be shown or proven through the final test that indicates your true devotion to The One and Only God.

Our lesson today is taken from the story of how God worked through Moses and his people as the escaped from the horrors of the Red Sea incident. Chapter 15 contains the song of Moses and Miriam as thy sing their praises of God’s deliverance from the Egyptians. Their test came to an end at the time when they looked back and saw their enemies swallowed up in the rushing waters of the Red Sea. The salvation of God’s people momentarily succeeded in their deliverance from the charging army of the Egyptians.

We are examining the TESTED DEVOTION of God’s people, and find to our sorrow that the minds and hearts of Christian people have always been fickle and wavering even though God has never wavered from his promise to stand firm in support of all who will continue to trust and believe.

In verse 21, Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.” They were free. And Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. Look at this picture. Only three days passed, they were out of water and that is all the time required, for a perfect test score to turn into a failing score. Their tested devotion turned to distrust…God led them to Elem where there were twelve springs of pure water and green palm trees to rest under.

The 16th chapter reveals that there was a lack of food on the fifteenth day of the second month of freedom. The Jews grumbled that Moses had led them out of the land of plenty [Egypt] and now they are starving. God furnished food in the form of Manna and Quail. It has never taken God many days to test the devotion of his people and he has always found marvelous ways to prove his power and willingness to feed his people. I am not sure of the taste of the Manna…but I doubt seriously that he could have found a more marvelous and lush dish than that of the Quail. Most of us have eaten Quail and would highly recommend it as a Sunday Special.

The life of Moses as he spent it attempting to lead a rebellious people has always intrigued me as one of the most devoted of all men. I wonder how he managed to keep a right mind. Think of this quote from Abe Lincoln and remember him as an American that must have trusted God far beyond what politicians today want to give him credit. He said: “Trusting in Him who can go with me and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will be well.” I have far more faith in our forefathers and their leadership than any of the recent presidents.

Leading the people of Israel was no easy matter. They had water problems, meat and bread problems all of which are fond in these three chapters of Exodus. But Moses remained faithful to God, and to the people he led. Even though the people blamed him for their problems, Moses became an intercessor for the people who must fight wars all the way to the land of promise. They should remember that their deliverance was never promised as a children’s hay ride.

When times are rough, we must remember that God has never promised that the way was easy. He tells us that we do not live by bread alone—and we must remember that God even provides the bread. We surely learn from this lesson that grumbling and complaining will get you no where with God. He is much more concerned that we have prayed and sought His wisdom and will for the trials and troubles we are facing. These people were successful when they obeyed and should have soon learned that God’s demand that his laws be obeyed was a necessity. We are to trust and obey for there is no other way!

Let me challenge you to answer a couple of questions. The first question is—have you ever stood with a Moses on the banks of a Red Sea? I do not even know who is reading this, but the answer to this question is YES. Just think of the times when you owed a debt and your local bank had sent their last warning. You or your wife or child was ill, and the insurance plan had expired. You were working at a job that barely paid the bills, and you got a notice that the plant was closing.

The second question is: did you blame the bank? Whose fault was it that you were in debt? Was the government to blame for your hospital bill not being paid when you needed health care? Why was your employer paying you a low wage? Di you actually think he waned to close his plant?

Will we ever reach the time and place in life that where I am is my choosing and in most cases my fault. Will I eve admit that I must be responsible for my predicament and trust totally in God to lead me to freedom?