20, Try
Psalm 11.5
The Lord trieth the righteous.
Once again, believers in Jesus Christ are the righteous; God made us righteous in Christ; the promise is for us, the “made-righteous” believers. He promises that He will try us and test us. That doesn’t sound like such a wonderful promise, but it really is when we consider the alternative in the rest of the verse: “but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” The same fire that purifies can also be a symbol of judgment on the wicked who violently oppress. It appears that there is no promise that the Lord will test the wicked. God chastens those whom He loves, to refine them in the fiery furnace of trials. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:6)
The promise of testing is really a blessing, for when we are pruned, tried, and refined God is doing a work in our lives to enable us to bear more fruit, strengthen and purify us. This growth process cannot take place without trial; if we were not pruned we would not grow more fruit; if we were not refined in the heat we would not be strengthened and purified. At the moment all discipline seems painful and not pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11). It is only in hindsight that we can see the loving hand of God through certain seasons and trials.
While we are enduring the trials we must simply trust God to know what He is doing and that the end result will be glorious. Therefore, this wonderful promise should be taken to heart with joy and hope. It is a promise. And God is good.