Wouldn’t it be nice if you could cram for life’s tests? Don’t you wish God would give you a heads up about what’s coming so you could be ready for the test? It might go something like this:

“Hey! You’re about to go into a big financial test. You might not want to get that new credit card. Focus on paying down the debt on that old one. That new automobile you’ve been fantasizing about needs to wait a while. I would suggest that you focus on saving as much as possible, and it might serve you well to memorize Philippians 4:19! “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Unfortunately, tests of faith don’t come that way, do they? No, they don’t. James tells us they ARE coming (not “if” but “when”), and, when they hit, they’ll be a surprise (you “fall” into them). The great consolation is that, when you persevere, you will be blessed. (James 1:12) Is that true? The Book of Ruth is an interesting laboratory to examine this promise.