1 PETER 1:3-9 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 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. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Today’s theme is not a misprint. It purposefully reads, “When trials come”, not “If trials come” because come they will. Jesus told us we would have many trials or tribulation in this world, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world”(John 16:33). The Apostle Paul also reminds us of this inevitability–But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God(Acts 14:19-22). And let Job weigh-in on the trials and troubles of living in this world–Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble (Job 14:1).
When trials come, our responses determine if God’s intended purposes are going to be realized in our lives. And with that application, ponder these words of Andrew Murray. He provides for us the proper approach and perspective on trials . . . . “In time of trouble say, ‘First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.’ Next, ‘He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.’ Then say, ‘He will make the trial a blessing, teach me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace that He means to bestow.’ And last, say, ‘In His good time He can bring me out again. How, and when, He knows.’ Therefore, say ‘I am here by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.’” These are good words to remember when trials come.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to respond to trials as they are–tools from Your Hand to mold me in the image of Your Son.”
QUOTE: “Trials are not punishments, but refinements, designed to purge away our pride and selfishness.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim