The Purpose of Trials

2 Chronicles 28:19,20
“For the LORD had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD. So Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him.”
King Ahaz was not a good king. He didn’t seek the Lord. They had just gotten whipped in battle. Instead of turning to God he went to the king of Assyria and paid him to be an ally. That king took advantage of Ahaz. God had intended for the failure to bring the king back to Him. I’m not sure if he didn’t think of it or if he rejected God. His source of strength was a failure to him.
The worldly means of help was an idol to Ahaz. God was showing him that it wasn’t trustworthy. That was God’s mercy. It wasn’t received. If we have idols God will allow them to fail to point us to Him.
As believers God allows us to go through trials. Hebrews 12:5,6 says, ‘and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS”‘. The upper case tells us that it’s a quote from the Old Testament. We can look back and see how we as parents disciplined our children. We love them, but their bad behavior needs to be dealt with. Out of love we correct them. They are sorrowful. But our love allows for the difficult emotions so they would grow out of it.
God allows us to go through difficulties so we would become more like Him. That is loving, patient and kind. Without ambition that hurts others. We reign in our selfishness. We let God guide us. The king didn’t appear to let lifes circumstances inform him. He should have had advisors bring this up as a posibility. Maybe they did, but he ignored them.
We should be careful that we aren’t blind to what God is trying to tell us. Lord, help us to have open hearts. Give us wisdom and insight.