Remember our ‘inheritance’  in Christ? Well this next scripture in 1 Peter is too good not to continue on in. Verse 6 of chapter 1 says the following: In this you greatly rejoice, though now, for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.

In this we greatly rejoice. ‘This’ is the incredible inheritance and knowledge of what is to come; it is with good reason that we rejoice. Though now, for a little while, if need be. God is speaking to you and me today. He is letting us know that for a little while, if something is necessary, and if there is a need, God will bring it to us. ‘If need be’ is not a punishment, but a purpose. Have you ever thought about the fact that trials are ordained by God, just as blessings are, and are a lot more than just an annoyance? I must admit, I’m the first to look at a trial with the, ‘Oh great, what now!’ mindset far too often. You know, I can look at them with those same exact words, but with a completely different tone and intent of my heart. “God, you have sent something challenging to my life, ‘Oh great! What now!’” Because knowing the character of God, I can rest and trust in a purpose far greater and vaster than what this flesh may feel OR understand.

Let’s keep going: Verse 7 says: that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found unto praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

OK, this is really exciting. Genuineness literally means that something is real. When a trial comes that we have been grieved by, we are given the opportunity to see if our faith is real. Do we really believe what we say we know about God? Are we going to apply it when it’s hard and we don’t understand? Notice that the inspired Word of God says “you have been grieved…” That isn’t a small disappointment; it is much more than that. In grieving over a trial…will our faith in Jesus endure? Notice too that the substance of our faith is of the utmost importance; it’s more precious than gold BUT it still must be tested; at times by fire, and fire often hurts. The testing also proves if our faith is real. Here is where it really gets exciting: once our faith is tested and proven genuine, it WILL be FOUND unto praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ! Isn’t that why we are here in the first place? To live to give Him praise, honor, and glory…

For Today: Do you know that those painful trials are just an avenue for your genuine faith to shine forth? His blessings are wonderful, but they don’t show our faith; they are easy to take and easy to embrace. But the world will see Him so clearly if they can see our faith IN HIM shining in the midst of trials that grieve us….

Something completely ‘intangible’  to the world and even to our touch and our sight is more precious than gold that will perish one day.

Do you know how important your faith in Jesus really is?