Notes of Faith August 10, 2024
Go for the Gold: Trials
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise…Jesus. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Matthew Henry made several points about this passage. First, all Christians have something wherein they may rejoice, no matter what. Second, we may still go through several trials at once. Third, the trials are fires that solidify our faith. Fourth, a tried faith is more precious than tried gold. Henry said, “Gold is the most valuable, pure, useful, and durable, of all the metals; so is faith among the Christian virtues; it lasts till it brings the soul to heaven.”1
No one wants to face anxious moments or difficult days. The strain is something greater than we can bear alone. But we can lean on Jesus, cast our cares on Him, claim His promises, and let Him carry us through the burden. As our faith grows, so do our peace of mind and our praise toward Him.
Jesus Christ will appear again in glory, and when He does so the saints will appear with him…and the more they have been tried the more bright they will then appear.
Matthew Henry
1. Matthew Henry, “1 Peter 1:7 Commentary,” Precept Austin.
Every race or game that I have been privileged to participate in I have strongly desired to win. There were many failures along the way. But those failures produced learning for the future and success through training the mind and body. Our life in Christ is the most important race of all, and although we have trials in walking faithfully and still sin, we strive to reach for the gold, the prize for which we were called, to be Holy as Christ is Holy, and endure until we are taken to be with Him, made perfect and complete by Him…our earthly race is over and we are victorious in Christ! Run this race to win!
Pastor Dale