Monday, August 21, 2023

           Fiery is a vivid word.  And it is a word that has a variety of meanings.  Some colors can be described as fiery.  Certain personalities and temperaments are called fiery.  I have heard sunrises and sunsets described as fiery.  Peter used this word to describe a certain kind of trial or ordeal that we occasionally encounter.  In his own words, he wrote, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).  This apostle wrote these words in a warm and loving way as he reached out to friends, fellow believers and people whom he dearly loved.  A few truths stand out for us to see today.  The power of God’s Word allows it to span the generations and encourage us today as much as it did those believers who lived in the first century.
            First, Peter cautioned us not to be surprised by trials and ordeals.  They are real and they do come into our lives—often at unexpected times and in equally unexpected ways.  Most people are at one of three places when it comes to trials.  Some are in the middle of one.  Some are at the end of a trial.  And still others are preparing to enter a trial.  We would likely prefer a trial-free life, but such a thing does not happen.  Some trials are more profound and painful than others.  And usually, we can look around and see someone suffering far worse than we are.  When we know, as Peter knew, that trials are real, we can begin to prepare ourselves for the inevitable trials that do come. 
            Second, trials often allow us to participate in “the sufferings of Christ.”  We occasionally suffer for our faith.  People have lost jobs because of their faith.  People have suffered the loss of friendships because of their trust in Jesus.  Some have lost their lives for the cause of Christ.  Some believers have even lost their place in their family after coming to Christ—they are banished and shunned forever.  A trial could be an occasion where you glorify Christ or make Him known to someone who has no relationship with Him.  A trial could be one way that we know our faith is true and sincere.  A trial could well validate our faith and walk with Christ. A trial may drive us to our knees as we surrender ourselves to the Lord in trust and love.
            Third, we must realize that trials are temporary and temporal.  They will not last forever.  They will not follow us into eternity.  Trials are the things of this world and not part of the perfect world that God has planned and designed that will one day come.  And usually, trials have an ending point here and now too.  We finally reach the finish line and realize that this trial has ended.  Trials cannot rob us of our faith or our walk with Christ.  Trials do not take away the promises of Christ for today or tomorrow.  We have to be careful to frame our trials for what they are—temporary and temporal.
            Fourth, trials cannot rob us of hope.  As Peter wrote, we are looking forward to the day when we are “overjoyed” because “His glory is revealed.”  As painful as a trial can often be, it does not have the ability to rob us of the hope of our eternal home with Christ forever.  Trials end at heaven’s welcome mat.  They do not follow us into forever.  If you find yourself tempted or tested, just remember how wonderful it will be one day to look at the face of Christ and see His glory and radiance—a brilliance that outshines the sun or brightest star in the night sky. 
            At the end of chapter four of his first letter, Peter gave us a compass for navigating our way through trials.  He wrote, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Peter 4:19).  When we face trials, we continue to do good.  We never give up doing what is good.  We do not allow trials to pull us away from what God has for us to do.  We keep pushing forward and we press on to do what is good.  Living righteously and obediently is never contingent upon the absence of trials or even the presence of prosperity.  We keep doing what is good even when there may be some challenging and painful moments that surround us. 
            Paul also encouraged us to keep doing what is good whenever we may be tested and tempted to do otherwise.  In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).  Paul’s position was simple—no way would he allow any trial or ordeal to knock him off stride or off the pathway that God had chosen for him to walk.  He had a holy tenacity about him to lean into the Lord during those hard times so he could prevail, and God would be glorified.  May we have the same kind of perspective and toughness today as we seek and serve the Lord. Have a great Monday!  Remember you can worship at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.