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: WE MUST HAVE THEM. No one really likes them. I have never met a Christian tell me, “I just love difficult times. I look forward to heart-crushing tests from the Lord. Trials? Love them. Bring them on.” No, our sinfulness always bends toward ease and comfort. We don’t embrace trials. We rebel against them. That is until we begin to see how much we need them that leads to learning from them. And that is where we need to get in our walks with the Lord; seeing the necessity of trials and learning to go from a spirit of inward rebellion to inward rejoicing in our trials. Let’s consider three things toward those ends . . .

First, accept the Biblical truth trials are part of life in this sinful world. It is a wise saying, “We are either in a trial, coming out of a trial, or preparing for a trial.” There is nothing easy where sin is present both in us and around us. It is simply living in a fantasy land if we think happiness and easy living will be our lot in this life. The only place where lasting happiness, contentment, and freedom from trial exists is where sin is absent and that will never be in this life. Jesus said of His followers, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We will go a long way to maturing through trials when we simply accept and believe they are an immovable part of life in this world.

Next, see the purpose in our trials. One of God’s primary ways of growing us in His Son the Lord Jesus is through painful trials. Yet, we often don’t grow. Why? We easily and primarily focus on the pain in our trials and cry for deliverance. What we should do is see through the pain to the purpose in our trials and cry for discernment for spiritual development. Then we will profit from being in God’s choice school of discipleship – fiery trials. Learn to see the purpose in trials. It will help us rejoice, not rebel.

A third application concerning trials is to think what they will do when we see Jesus. If we respond in a God-honoring way in trials, submit to the Lord with a glad and humble heart, not only will we grow to be like Christ, but our faith is purified. And what will this purified faith do when we see Jesus. Let the Apostle Peter tell us . . .“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.” What a motivator to endure and rejoice in our trials. We will have a faith that shines like purified gold and brings great praise, honor, and glory to our wonderful Lord.

Yes, we need trials. We must have them. May God help us to respond to them in a way that pleases Him, prospers our souls, and produces a faith bringing great glory to our glorious King.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to see that trials are not given to hurt me, but to develop me.”

QUOTE: “Without trials, we really would not learn to pray and cling to the Lord Jesus.”