Parshas Beshalach

In parshas Beshalach we have the story of the mannah that fell in the wilderness for the children of Israel. G-d says to Moshe I am sending the manna "in order to test them, to see if they will follow my Torah or not" Exodus 16-4. All events in general but certainly events of the magnitude of our current economic collapse must be viewed from two perspectives. These two perspectives are the topics of two works by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto d. 1747. The first work explains how G-d is leading the world toward a Revelation of Himself. This work has been published in English translation as The Knowing Heart (Feldheim). The second work has been published in English under the title The Way of G-d. The Way of G-d describes how G-d interacts with each individual within the greater umbrella of His plans for the world.
My drasha attempted to frame the economic turbulence we are all facing, as well as all of the personal challenges in each of our lives, as tests. According to Ramban (Nachmanedes d. 1270) G-d wants to see if
a. we can put our faith in His ability to provide for us
b. can we conduct ourselves appropriately by providing material and emotional support to the needy.
Ramban further states( see Genesis Chapter 22 verse 1 and Rambans comments there) that G-d doesn't test us to find the answer. He know what is in our heart. He tests us to bring out qualities that He know are within us. If we couldn't rise to the occasion we wouldn't be tested. Therefore it seems to me that we should all view the current distress as a test. When we pass this test we will actualize our potential.