Rewards For Trials
Good Morning,
Trials are most often received as something bad – the result of our own wrong or that of another – but God says so much about trials that goes against our personal reasoning.
1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
In this verse, we see that the TRIAL of our faith is precious; not faith itself, but the trying of our faith — according to the Lord, that trial is precious.
Just as the heating of gold purifies and increases value, so the trying of our faith makes it more valuable. The faith we possess without trials will remain in its current state; but when that faith is tried in the fires of life, the value increases exponentially.
When the Lord returns, the gold used as an example will perish and be gone, as will all earthly things.
2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
Our faith, though tested in the fires of life, will endure forever. As the passage teaches, that faith will be found very important.
1 Peter 1:7 ”... might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ..."
When the Lord returns, faith that has been tried, tested, and found true will be rewarded by "praise and honour and glory." Not the praise, honor, and glory of God, but it will be to our praise, honor, and glory, just as the Lord said in John 12:26: "... if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
No one enjoys the trying of his faith, but the Scriptures urge him to hold fast to his profession.
Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
When our faith is tried, it can waver. In times of trial, some believers walk away from their faith; but God is pleased when we “hold fast” our profession. Our Lord prayed in the Garden as He faced such a tragic hour and asked if that hour might pass from Him; yet, He desired most the will of God and trusted His circumstances to the Heavenly Father saying, “not my will, but thine be done.”
What has been true for decades is still true in trials. Recently, one of our missionaries wrote about converts who were going to face severe persecution from their families and friends for their newfound faith. He requested prayer for these new Christians who were about to be tried. These young believers who knew so little were going to be tried, and how precious will be their reward when Christ appears!
1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
May we rest in the loving arms of our Father and trust Him through our trials.
Pastor