1 Sam16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart( NIV).
In one of the Church Growth ministers conference I attended years back, one of the officiating ministers gave a word of knowledge about one of the pastors in attendance.
As revealed to the minister by the Lord, he said there was a Pastor in that meeting who had 8 members all his years in ministry and was planning to quit because the church was not growing.
The minister of God that gave the word of knowledge said those years of stagnancy were his testing phase and God said that he has passed the test successfully. Wow!
That part of test and being successful caught my attention. That man thought God was looking away from his predicament not knowing God stood as an examiner watching how was taking his divine exams.
Another story that caught my attention in the bible was the story of David and his brothers. When God was shopping for a king, he had a list containing only one successful candidate.
When the elder brothers of David came before Samuel, God told him that he had rejected them. This is my question, "Why did God reject them"? What criteria did God use in selection?
I perceive the brothers of David failed the qualifying exams that would have made them the choice candidate for the throne little wonder why God told Samuel they were rejected.
If someone hadn't failed a test, you can't just reject by mere looks. Obviously, there was a test they failed at one time or other. Unknowingly, they were tested but not certified fit.
They were living their lives normally not knowing everyday was an examination day. They heard their result on a day they least expect.
Brethren, you are in God's examination hall without knowing. God is looking at your attitude daily to see if you qualify for the throne. God will announce your result very soon.
Two Christians may not have the same result in God's score sheet. Don't be jealous of men who are climbing levels of glory. You don't know the test they wrote and their scores.
We have many praying men that are not breaking forth. They have prayed on mountains and in valleys, yet no result to show for it. They may wonder If God doesn't hear their cry.
Some failed the test of God in simple matters like money, power, people management, etc thinking prayer will substitute for their failures. It doesn't work like that in God's school.
Life is a school, we are all in the classroom, there won't be promotion until we pass our exams. Be circumspect in the way you live, you maybe writing exams unknowingly.
Father, I will not fail divine exams In Jesus name.