SIVAN 9
Trials
“And do not lead us into trial …” (Mat 6:13)
Years ago, I read a translation of this portion of Mat 6:13 that said “let us not sin when we are in trials”;
it is unfortunate that I cannot remember where I read this, out of which
translation. Truly, this phrase is an
eye-opener, and follows perfectly the purpose behind trials and tests in our
lives. Deu 8:2 tells us that one of the
reasons behind the forty years of wandering was to test and prove the Hebrew
nation, as to whether they would keep the commandments of Elohim. If our Elohim felt the need to test Abraham
(see Gen 22:1), the one who is called the father of our faith, why should we
think it would be any different for us?
Trials are for our benefit, to reveal to us exactly where our
weaknesses lie. Much like a pop quiz for
school age children, the trials we face in our walk with Elohim are designed to
show us the areas where we need improvement.
And as James, the brother of our Messiah instructed us, we are to “count it all joy when we fall into various
trials”, diligently seeking the lesson to be learned from the trial that we
are in.
Does Elohim actually “lead” us into these types of situations? I don’t know that He realistically grabs us
by the hand, dragging and screaming, telling us that “here, this is the next
test for you”. Truthfully, I believe
that much of what we walk through is the result of the brilliant choices that
we have made along the way. I also
believe that Yah allows these ‘seasons’ of testing to happen in our lives, to
‘prove’ us, just as He did with the children of Yisra’el (Deu 8:2). And the one thing that I am certain of, no
matter how dark the valley of despair that I must walk through, He is with me
all the way (Ps 23:4).
It is unfortunate that so many of us were taught that trials and tests
all stem from the adversary, haSatan,
the basis for this being where Messiah Yeshua was tested by the enemy (see Mat
4:1). That is not to say that some of our trials may have originated with haSatan, but for the most part, the battle is with the yetzer hatov (the good inclination, the
part of us that desires to do what is right) versus the yetzer hara (the evil, carnal and selfish inclination) that resides
within each one of us. It is much easier
to stand, yelling at the enemy, rebuking him until such time as you are red in
the face, than to have to take control over all
the fleshly desires that seek to have their way in our lives.
What does the Amidah say of
trials and tests? There is not any
specific mention of trials in this prayer; however, we find petitions for
understanding and compassion on those who are “righteous”. The following is part of the section
pertaining to the righteous:
“Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in Your Name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may
never be put to shame, for we have put our trust in You.”[1]
Amein!
©2021
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