“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ . . . .“ I Peter 1:6-7
California is being literally tested to the max—by fire. I cannot begin to fathom such terror, not primarily due to loss of possessions but because of the very real threat of tortuous death. Yet around the world, there are trials far more severe and devastating. At the present time, Planet Earth can be a very treacherous piece of real estate!
Realizing all of that, and given the words of the Apostle Peter, my little inconvenience of recovering from surgery and being physically unable to control the mounting chaos and confusion that once was our well-ordered home—these “trials” are not really trials at all. Here I am, well fed and clothed, clean, loved, warm and dry. The physical pain is being managed, and I am surrounded by people who care. No, in view of California, I am not experiencing a trial.
Yet there is frustration, and sometimes the enemy of our soul tempts me to grouse about the mess at hand. Then I metaphorically hurl myself on God’s Grace, feeling ashamed of having lapsed into moments of consternation!
Two words in the above passage of Scripture stand out to provide tremendous comfort and consolation: “various” and “grieved”. Peter’s exhortation spans the centuries—popping right off the pages of my Thompson Chain Reference NKJV, right into my head and heart.
There are VARIOUS TRIALS, no matter where and when one is on this earth. Some issues are catastrophic, like the California fires or, much worse, the “fires” of tyranny and injustice around the world. Other trials, like my physical limits, are lightweight to the point of being almost silly.
And Peter wrote to individuals who GRIEVED. Like you and I, believers in the Apostle Peter’s day were real. Vulnerable to temptation—yes, even to grouse. Challenged by their emotions.
God’s Word never leaves us helpless or hopeless. We are not victims of our trials, nor do we need to be dominated by our emotions—as valid and understandable as they may be.
We are deliberately being tested, so that the genuineness of our faith may rise above the circumstances of the moment—to the eternal praise and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ who has allowed the trials—to conform us to His image that we may glorify Him.
Yes, knowing “WHY” makes all the difference!
Margaret L. Been — November 14th, 2018