Description
Finding Hope and Strength Through Fiery Trials
In this episode, we reflect on 1 Peter 4:12 and explore its reassuring m… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Any kind of suffering is bad enough, isn’t it? But it becomes doubly difficult when it’s unexpected. Is that you, my friend? Well listen to what Peter says as we meditate on one Peter chapter four, verse 12. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Now, first of all, we see that Peter is compassionate here. He starts by saying, beloved, he loves these people that he’s speaking to. He loves by implication us, though he doesn’t know us, his future readers. And he tells us all not to be surprised when things go wrong.
Now, we don’t want to blame every single thing in our lives on the world or the devil. But sometimes it is the world or the devil, or the consequences of living in a fallen, sinful world. And Peter says, don’t be surprised by this.
These are tests that we all go through as part of our journey of life towards the kingdom of heaven. This is all part of having a fallen nature and being in an environment that is not yet fully redeemed by God.
He says fiery trials and he means it. Fiery trials are to be expected and they are part of our maturing. Peter knew full well that literal fiery trials involving fire were taking the lives of believers in great persecution.
Now, I hope my brothers and sisters that it doesn’t come to that for you or for me, but still all sorts of other kinds of trials we will face in this life. But we don’t face them alone, do we? Once we’ve accepted Jesus, we face them with the Holy Spirit living within us, giving us patience, giving us faithfulness, helping us through. We have the hope of a future life with God.
God has done all these things to help us to endure these fiery trials. In this world, Jesus said, you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world. May God bless you as you walk with him through your trials.
