What Did God Say?
Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him. —Psalm 105:19 (NASB)
Oh, this verse!!!
I have struggled with this verse in the past. I have struggled, because I just could not grasp why the Lord would make a promise to someone and then TEST THEM until the full promise manifested.
Isn’t He a GOOD GOD? Why would a good God say that He would do something, and then test someone until He followed through?
When I read this scripture last week, I felt the draw to just pause in His presence and allow Him to speak to me through this verse. As someone who has been waiting on a few promises from God for a great deal of time, I had several questions on my heart regarding Psalm 105:19. “What do you mean by this, Lord?” I asked Him. “Please explain Your heart to me, because I just don’t get it.”
He first directed me to look at the Hebrew meaning of “word” in this scripture. The meaning of “word” (h0565) is simple: The utterance of God. Basically, I felt a challenge from the Lord to remember what He has actually spoken to me in the past. He gently guided me through several promises I have yet to see, and all of the scripture, prophetic words and words that came directly from His heart to mine in the years that I have been waiting.
“What have I said to you?” He asked me.
I use the word “ask,” but really, His question felt more like a challenge.
As I sat in His presence, recounting all of the things that the Lord had spoken to me about my promises, I began to ask again about the word “test.” He led me again to look up the Hebrew meaning (h6884), and I found that this word does not mean something that’s unbearable or cruel. It means refining, yes; but the word also means “to cast,” specifically in fire. To cast something is not just to burn it – a “cast” is an object made my shaping molten metal material in a mold.
According to Google, the things that are cast most often are TOOLS, WEAPONS, and JEWELRY.
Here is what the Lord spoke to my heart when I realized the weight of this “testing”: Every promise is for an appointed time, with an appointed purpose. Psalm 105:19 refers to Joseph, who was “tested” while waiting for the fulfillment of the dream he had regarding leading his brothers. Joseph needed that time of molding and casting so that he could be the EXACT SHAPE NEEDED to lead a nation. Joseph was given a word – an utterance of God through a dream – and needed to be WEAPONIZED before the word of the Lord could come to pass in his life. Joseph needed to be weaponized because the Lord’s word to him was about more than just Joseph.
Some translations make it clear that Joseph’s character needed a refining. I am sure that is true! But if we focus on “refining” of character, we may miss the point entirely.
Joseph needed refining not because something was wrong with him or because he wasn’t good enough or lacking. Joseph needed refining because what God chose him to carry was of such weight, such greatness and such importance, God needed Joseph to be fully weaponized to walk in the glorious promises that the Lord had for him and for his nation.
Every promise of mine and yours has a Heavenly purpose, and that purpose is larger than we are. I would encourage those who are in the waiting and being tested to go back to the Lord and ask Him to lead you into the truth about your promise. Ask Him to open your eyes to see beyond yourself and beyond the fulfillment of it, and ask Him to show you what “shape” He is casting and refining you to be.
Chances are, the word that He has spoken to you is weightier and more magnificent than you could even imagine.
Whether you are a weapon against the forces of darkness, or a tool to smash through lies and strongholds in others, or a jewel to display the splendor of the King of Kings….do not despise this season of testing while waiting on the utterances of God to manifest in your life.
Surrender to the “casting,” and allow Him to shape you for maximum Kingdom impact. And hold God to His word while you wait – He loves your faith!
— Mandy Woodhouse
Restored People Community 