“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 much 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.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV
If Need Be
One of the things I love about the Word of God is how every time I read it the Lord opens my eyes to something I never really “saw” before. I’m sure that’s why our pastor continually reminds us to read His Word s-l-o-w-l-y!
As I was reading through 1 Peter, the words “if need be'” in the above Scripture jumped off the page at me. I’d never noticed them before. This text says we have need of them! Usually when trouble comes I am tempted to be distracted by the suffering it brings. This was a much needed wake-up call for me. The Word (Jesus) prepares us ahead of time to be alert and ready for what He knows lies ahead. During these crazy times I was reminded of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
I have to remind myself to trust that our loving heavenly Father would never allow trials and temptations to grieve us unnecessarily. He’s faithful and is always working whether we see it or not. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8, 9). He uses everything and wastes nothing.
B. Meyer, when writing about Elijah in 1 Kings 17:7, put it this way: “Often tempted to stumble in unbelief, (Elijah, as he watched the brook dwindle and dry up) nevertheless refused to allow his circumstances to come between himself and God. Unbelief looks at God through the circumstances, just as we often see the sun dimmed by clouds or smoke. But faith puts God between itself and its circumstances, and looks at them through Him.”*
Like gold in the furnace, our “trial by fire” is not intended to destroy us but to refine us (James 1:2-4). Trials test and strengthen our faith which is much more precious than gold that perishes. Because He has empowered us by His Holy Spirit, we can choose to rejoice in our suffering, knowing it is short and temporary compared to all eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). God has a plan and it’s a good plan, for it will ultimately work for our good and accomplish His purpose.
Lord, You are not unaware of what is happening in our world today. I pray that these difficult days will bring about repentance and spiritual revival, not only in the world but in Your church as well. Give us a holy boldness to speak Your truth in love. Your will be done! Amen.
Amen!!!
Thank you Amen
Every day I pray Christians everywhere in the world will rise up and bear witness of God and that God would bring about a great awakening on the earth and be glorified.