Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 1st Peter
4:12
Trials of
faith are difficult to bear; for they cause heaviness or depression of the
mind, (Hebrews 10:32). “Why art thou cast down, O my soul! And why art
thou disquieted within me?” is often the language of the child of God. But
ought he ever to be cast down? Ought he not to be superior to the trials of
life, and to soar above them as on eagles’ wings? No; Christianity is not
Stoicism, and, if a believer does not feel his troubles, there would cease to
be such, and it would not affect their purpose and design. While, he does not
yield to a spirit of dejection, or allow it to overcome him, he must feel when
in the furnace or trial even as did our Lord Himself. In the presence of
others, however, he should endeavour to be cheerful, and the more so if he
occupies a public position in the Church, so that he doesn’t discourage those
around him. When Joseph’s brethren appeared before him, he felt deep emotions,
and could scarcely restrain himself. He left them, therefore, that he might
weep in secret before God, and then he returned, relieved of the oppressive
load (Genesis 43:30-31).
“Beloved,
think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as through
some strange thing happened unto you:” 1st Peter 4:12
Trials of
faith should be endured because they are temporary. Trials are not supposed to
be permanent fixtures in life, they are for a season.
A day of adversity comes, when darkness intercepts the skies, when the storm sets in on every side, when not a gleam of light shines upon the path you tread; and then, perhaps, you hastily concluded that it will always be so. But no; sorrow endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning. It is only for a while that the trials lasts, and before long there is an opening in the clouds, the sun’s bright beams burst through them again, and you are filled with hope and joy. There are some trials, which are life-long in their effects, and can never be forgotten, like a deep wound in the flesh which, though healed, leaves a scar which must be carried to the grave. But the longest trials, and those which leave the deepest wounds, are only for a season – the season of our earthly life, and in a brighter sphere we shall forget them all, or remember them only as the wounded soldier remembers what he has passed through when he returns victorious from the field of battle. May you receive strength to bear your trials and to overcome all in Jesus’ name.
Prayer
Point: Father, please don’t let me fail in the trials of life in Jesus’ name.
Read: 1st Peter 1:1-7
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the
Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto
you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten
us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To
an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved
in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein
ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith,
being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with
fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus
Christ:
Bible in
one year: 2nd Chronicles 5:2-7:3, Proverbs 31:1-15
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