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Text: 1 Peter 1:6-9
"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that parishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
A Christian Paradox
Here is what someone has called "A Christian Paradox," "sorrowful, yet rejoicing," (2 Corinthians 6:10). There inevitably comes into the lives of God's people such trials and sufferings as bring perplexity to our minds, tears to our eyes, and heaviness to our hearts. Yet, in the midst of it all, there is a deep, settled, inexplicable peace and joy. Trials are an essential, inescapable part of our experience in this life - divinely ordered for our good!
God has provided an adequate basis for our present joy "in Christ." The Greek word that Peter uses here for "rejoice" suggests an active, energetic expression of joy - meaning "to leap for joy, to exult." It suggests a vigorous exultation in the Gospel of Christ and His coming Kingdom of righteousness.
Paul repeatedly called on his brethren to "rejoice," (Romans 5:2 ; Philippians 3:1 and 4:4 ; and 1 Thessalonians 5:16).
The "joy of the Lord" is the strength of His people (Nehemiah 8:10).
Like Peter and Paul, the beloved John wanted his "little children" to be filled with this joy (1 John 3:1-3). But, the ecstasies of life must sometimes be mixed with grief. Thus James urged,
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience..."
James 1:2-3
In our text, Peter says relative to trials we may encounter, "If need be," suggesting that trials are sometimes essential to our spiritual completion. He goes on to state, "It is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing," (1 Peter 3:7).
"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men," (1 Peter 2:15).
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator," (1 Peter 4:19).
Always concerned for the will of God, the apostle Paul bade farewell to his brethren at Ephesus, saying:
"I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will," (Acts 18:21).
Christ, our Lord, suffered on our behalf, rather than (instead of) the heavenly joy that was set before Him, He chose to endure the cross - though despising the shame attached to it, (Hebrews 12:2). Such was His love for us unworthy sinners! The servant-disciple is not better than his Master.
As He suffered for us, we may also suffer "for His sake," (Acts 9:16 ; Philippians 1:29 ; 1 Peter 3:14 ; Colossians 1:24-25).
By God's grace, the heaviness that we must endure is but for a little while.
"But the God of all grace, who has called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered for a while, make you perfect, establish, straighten, and settle you," (1 Peter 5:10).
There are times when our faith, like gold, must be stress-tested by the fires of affliction. Note the following reference verses:
- 1 Peter 1:7
- Job 23:10
- Psalm 66:10
- Proverbs 17:3
- Isaiah 48:10
- Zechariah 13:9
- Malachi 1:3
- 1 Corinthians 3:13.
Instead of causing us to question God's love, such trials should be cause for joy. By this means He is strengthening and purifying our faith. For those who patiently endure, there awaits a glorious reward : as it is written,
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him," 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Conclusion:
The proving of our faith is to the end that we "may be found unto praise, honor, and glory," (Romans 2:7,10 ; 1 Corinthians 4:17 ; Hebrews 12:11).
Our Lord does not abandon us in the hour of trial. Rather He carefully preserves our tears in His "bottle" (Psalm 56:8). His mighty angels stand guard over us, Hebrews 1:14.
Nor will He ever permit us to be tempted beyond what His grace will enable us to bear, 1 Corinthians 10:13. The prospect of future glory far outweighs our present trouble, (1 Corinthians 4:17 ; Romans 8:18).
At the "revelation of Jesus Christ," we will be permitted to share in His praise, honor, and glory, (1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7,13,17; Luke 17:30; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Colossian 3:4; John 2:28; and Matthew 16:27).
Fiery trials are designed to strip us of all self-confidence and self-trust and thereby driving us into the loving arms of our dear Savior!
From the furnace of affliction, a purified faith will emerge with such radiant splendor as will redound to the praise, honor, and glory of God - which is of much greater concern than escaping any tribulation.
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