Luke 8:13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. NIV

I use the New International Version here for the very use of the word testing. Most other bible versions use the word temptation but since I am trying to score test results, I needed a version that used testing.

Temptations are one source of faith testing for sure. Here it is seen as a testing of ground upon which the gospel has been sown. This falling away or failing the test says you don’t belong in this class. It is a qualification test. It is not the only type of testing.

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. KJV

Now the NIV once again used testing in place of trying, but I have switched back to the KJV for a particular reason. Trying is the assertion that you belong in this class and that you are sitting down to take the test. Taking the test produces a test score. Your testing or more accurately trying out your faith, will produce results. In this case James is identifying patience as a result.

Romans 5:2-5 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Try your faith, take it out for a test run, to prove to yourself that the love of God in your heart is at work, producing results, a good report card.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

It is no secret that I am old. I have seen much, I have done much, and I have had much done to me. So it came as a surprise that the Lord should do a new thing. I did not even realize the extent of the experience until days later as I talked it out with my accountability partner.

It started early Sunday morning in the shower. With the hot water streaming down my head, neck and back, the Lord brought to me His mind on His glory. There is no way for me to express all that was given in that moment, not even in a series of devotionals. I had to go to the Word to confirm everything.

It was in the Old Testament use of glory that my experience is expressed but not fully understood until today. It was in the Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon that I discovered the faint beginning of understanding; heaviness, always expressed figuratively.

This heaviness was new for me. I had no experience with it, nothing to rely upon through experience, wisdom, or knowledge. I didn’t know how to deal with it. It is not until now that I can figuratively express what was happening.

2 Corinthians 1:8 (in part) we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired…

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

This was a new experience for me. Never have I been pressed down with this heaviness, His glory, to the point I became uncomfortable in my own skin, like grape in a wine press. “I just want to scream.” That is how I put it.

What is the harm? The wine press is unaware of its surroundings. Nothing outside of what is going on inside is of any value or importance. It is not relevant to the outside world until the process is finished.

The wine is not ready for consumption.