“That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.” – Judges 2:22
The process of proving, makes what is really in the heart surface. Trials remove from us the easiest circumstances we could have to obey God in, and thereby demonstrate if we truly love Him or not. The problem with the Israelites was that their responses to trial and blessings demonstrated that they had no desire to obey God. Despite the wealth they sacrificed to God, the time they spent in worship, and the prayers they called out, the Israelites lack of obedience demonstrated their sincere unbelief. Do your responses to temptations and trials prove your faith, or do they testify to your unbelief? – Commentary by Steffanie Howard