Why Does God Test Us?

Why does God test us as Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalm 26:2, and other verses describe?

I used to be a school teacher, and now I am a pastor. Both professions involve instructing others. I do not want to sound overly simple, but good teachers provide information people do not already have. If they already knew it, they would not need the instruction! Most letters in the New Testament are instructive. There is the occasional time an epistle will say, “I want to remind you…” but primarily they were written to provide new information. This is why James 1:3 is so unique! In the ESV and NIV it says, “You know that the testing of your faith produces [patience].” James was not teaching something new. He was telling readers what they already understand about trials. They test our faith!