“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7)
If any one has a desire to understand Moses and his power to lead a restless people through the desert on to the promised land, all must start by appreciating his 40 years of wandering in the desert. To know well Apostle Paul and, his unquenchable spirit to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, starts with appreciating he was once struck blind and for a certain period was in no man’s land. Joseph who saved his people cannot be fully appreciated without taking into note his being sold into slavery and long years of being locked up on false accusation. Such terrible years of solititude and nobidiness made these great servants of God!
Very often these days one hears of a certain Gospel that emphasises the wellbeing and prosperity of believers. It is true that our God is a rewarder of all who worship him in truth. But just as well God is interested in equipping those whom he calls to serve Him. One way, among many, is to first take any through the ring of fire, as to purify them and remove all the dross for the finished gold.
Perhaps as a believer you might be wondering why must one experience pain and suffering yet a dear child of God! There is a simple reason. Paul writes, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 1:6). He reminds us, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5: 3-5).
Friend, be comforted if there are any low moments in your life, for quite often, there is work going on for God to perfect you for His service.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where there are difficult moments in my life may I realise and accept this could be to deepen my faith and serve you better to your glory, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
