The overall objective of God in seeking to build trustworthy character in Grace Children, is to train them in the way they should go: that] when they are old, they will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6). He differs from earthly parents to the extent that He is almighty, righteous in all his ways and all knowing (Isaiah 40:28). In other words, unlike earthly parents, Father God is aware of the capabilities of each of His children, though He may seek to prove our trustworthiness.
He understands us and the things we may desire better than our earthly parents do or we. Whereas we may desire something and hope that it is good for us, only God would know the prospects of one’s desires including whether we possess the right character to receive them. In this sense God’s tests for trustworthiness is more of a desire to guide us into trusting him and walking in His wisdom and His ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:21-25 and 2:5-6).
God also differs from our earthly parents because He can behold spiritual aspects of our conduct. While earthly parents tend to focus on physical propensities, God “search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10; Proverbs 16:2; Romans 8:27).
Let us now examine the traits that God considers in seeking to establish one’s trustworthiness.
