He in You...Difficulties reward

Carina Francke

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6,7

This Scripture does not deal with difficulties in general but with trials because people love the Lord and are being ridiculed and persecuted for their faith.

To rejoice in trails is almost impossible, especially when it concerns our faith. But it is possible if we focus on what is important. To Peter, the author of this letter, it is all about focusing on the promises God made to us: He gave us a new life and without any doubt we can look forward to  "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us."  Furthermore we have the promise of us being,"kept by the power of God through faith" (v4,5). How powerful and comforting! Because He took us into His protection it is possible for us to stay faithful to Him despite trials, injustices or even death.

It is on this truth the writer focuses when he writes the letter, "  ...though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials that the genuineness of your faith be tested ."(Peter 1:6,7)

Why is it necessary for our faith to be tested? You and I are  valued by Him, after all He did give His Son as proof of this! Trials and  rough times are necessary for our purification process because if our faith proofs to be impure when tested, how on earth can our lives be pure? It is necessary then for our faith to be tested to determine it's purity. In the same way that the heat of fire reveals the impurities in gold and burns it away, so do trials reveal our faith motives: do we believe because of the good things He provide for us,  because of the prosperity we enjoy, because we're afraid we'll miss out on everlasting life or because He is God, our Creator whom we love with all our hearts?

And the outcome if our faith withstands the test? It will be to the honor, praise, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (v7)

Even though it  seems impossible, it is possible to have joy in trials because we are kept by God to inherit the everlasting life that awaits us.  It's merely our faith that has to be aligned.

Prayer: Thank You that You are my keeper and that trials are only seasonal tests.  Amen.