17th June 2026
ALEX BUABENG-KORSAH
TOPIC: WHEN GOD TESTS THE HEART
THEME SCRIPTURE: "And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go." —Judges 7:4
PREPARATORY QUESTION
How do you respond when God uses unexpected tests to reveal what is truly in your heart?
After reducing Gideon's army, God was not finished refining those who would remain. He instructed Gideon to bring the men to the water, where another test would take place. What appeared to be a simple act of drinking became a moment of separation.
Some men knelt and drank without caution. Others remained alert, bringing water to their hs while staying moutwatchful. Through this unusual process, God identified the three hundred men who would accompany Gideon into battle.
The test itself seemed insignificant. No weapons were involved. No military skills were evaluated. Yet God used an ordinary moment to reveal something deeper.
This reminds us that God often examines our hearts through everyday circumstances. We tend to expect spiritual growth to occur through dramatic events, but many of God's most important lessons come through ordinary decisions, daily habits, and seemingly small acts of obedience.
The Lord sees what others overlook. He notices our attitudes when no one is watching. He observes how we respond to inconvenience, disappointment, responsibility, and temptation. What appears insignificant to us may reveal important truths about our character.
God's testing is never intended to destroy us. Rather, it exposes what needs strengthening and prepares us for greater usefulness. Just as gold is refined by fire, faith is strengthened through testing.
Sometimes we become frustrated when God allows challenges that seem unnecessary or difficult to understand. Yet His wisdom extends beyond what we can see. He knows how to prepare us for assignments that lie ahead.
The men who remained with Gideon were not chosen because they were naturally superior. They were chosen according to God's purpose. Likewise, God's work in our lives is not based merely on human qualifications but on His sovereign wisdom and grace.
Key Takeaway
God often uses ordinary moments to reveal, refine, and prepare the hearts of those He calls.
Beloved, when God allows tests in your life, remember that He is not trying to make you fail. He is shaping you, revealing your heart, and preparing you for what He has planned. Every test becomes an opportunity to trust Him more deeply. Today, choose to pass all your tests.
Remain blessed.
FURTHER READING: Judges 7:4–8; Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalm 139:23–24; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–7
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD
1. What recent circumstances may God be using to reveal something about my heart?
2. How do I typically respond when my faith is tested?
3. Are there small areas of obedience that I have been overlooking?
4. What might God be preparing me for through my current challenges?
PRAYER
Father, thank You for caring enough to refine and shape my character. Help me trust You when You allow tests that I do not fully understand. Reveal anything in my heart that needs to change, and strengthen my faith through every challenge. Teach me to be faithful in small things and attentive to Your guidance each day. Use every circumstance to prepare me for Your purposes. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.