1 PETER 1:6–7 – In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
THEME OF THE DAY. WHAT IS BEHIND OUR TRIALS? Have we ever gone through a long trial, a severe test, and a difficult season praying, “Lord, what is going on? What is happening in my life? I need clarity and help!” The answer is “Of course” for every Christian will encounter trials, tests, and difficulties in this life. And every Christian, at one time or another, experiences the “spiritual fog of confusion” during all of them. We simply don’t always “get it” when it comes to God’s work in our lives through these hard seasons. Well, in today’s scripture, let’s find some help for us to “get in” in our inevitable trials, testing, and difficulties.
The first thing we learn from the Apostle Peter is the purpose behind our trials, tests, and difficulties; to prove the reality of our faith – In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith. Friends, a true faith must be a tested faith. A reliable faith must be a tried faith. Without things coming into our lives forcing us to abandon ourselves to the Lord Jesus and cling to him, we have no way of validating our faith. Our faith in Christ isn’t a vague belief. It is a trust in Him that says, “I cannot do life without You. I cannot even have life without You. If You are not my hope and strength for this life and the next, I am nothing and have nothing.” And trials, tests, and difficulties will be God’s tools to validate the truth and sincerity of our faith in the Lord Jesus. Learn to see all of them as proving grounds for our faith. If we do, the proving grounds will become worshipping grounds.
Another truth behind our trials is they are preparing us to exalt the Lord Jesus at His coming – so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. We must learn the Christian life is lived in two realms – the now and the not yet. Our trials, tests, and difficulties prove our faith in this life, and equip us to someday stand before the Lord Jesus as trophies of His grace. Think about that day. When we see Jesus, we will see with “holy clarity” that all the victories and all the times we overcame trials, tests, and difficulties were the displays of His empowering grace and amazing mercy. Truly, all things will point to Him on that great and glorious day!
A final lesson to learn in our trials is don’t be discouraged because we hurt or grieve in them. Peter acknowledges trials cause pain – if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. Life in this world is hard. We suffer. We grieve. We hurt. We sorrow. The words of Job about life rings true and loud in our experiences – “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
So, what is behind the trials, tests, and difficulties in our lives? Many things, but most importantly, it is the Lord who is behind them all working out His perfect plan and will in our lives for His glory and our good.
PRAYER: “Father, help me discern in my trials Your desire to make much of Jesus in them.”
QUOTE: “Trials empty us of ourselves in order to allow us to be filled with God.”