"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO FIND THEMSELVES SUDDENLY IN A FIERY TRIAL"
1st Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it
strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some
strange thing happened to you.
1st Peter 4:13 but rejoice to the extent
that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Some Explanatory thoughts and application:
1. Regardless of whether we are in a
trial or not, there is still this beautiful and sincere word that God so
often uses to speak of His children. It's the word beloved, so, You are
beloved today, yesterday, and forevermore. Period. It's a settled fact,
this is how God views you. This term beloved, is also translated, Dear
friends. That's what it means. We are His dear friends. Again, Period,
it's a settled fact.
2. The first thing God tells His dear
friends here, is not to be surprised, or unduly alarmed at the fiery
trials and ordeals that you may find yourself going through. There is a
reason for this matter that has come into your life. And the reason is,
that God is testing your faith. So, that's the reason, and furthermore,
we are told by the Lord here, not to think that it's strange we are
going through this trial, not to think it's some abnormal experience.
These unexpected fiery trials should not be a surprise is the idea. They
happen to all of God's children from time to time.
3. And, here is the next thing we are
told. We are to be glad. Admittedly, that sounds odd, until you read the
rest of the verse.
1st Peter 4:13 Instead, be very
glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his
suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his
glory when it is displayed to all the world.
The reason for our rejoicing is that we
are sharing in Christ's sufferings. And, one day, when we see Him, in
all of His glory and all of His splendor we will be filled with the most
tremendous joy. We will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory
when it is displayed to all the world.
4. I suppose to put this in another way,
or to look at the verses and gain from them this perspective. These
things are not abnormal. These things do come suddenly, and without
warning. So, don't be alarmed, or wonder what has happened to God and
where He is, to have let this happen to you.
5. These verses particularly, (1st Peter
4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings,
that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding
joy.) is actually calling us to turn from surprise and alarm to
rejoicing. Because we in a very real sense partaking of the sufferings
of Christ. And, that beyond this temporal existence, there awaits us the
great eternal glory of Christ, which we are going to share in. It's or
hope.. It's the big picture. And keeping our eyes on the big picture,
always helps us to the keep the smaller details down here, in their
proper place. There is more to this life then the fiery trials that come
our way. There is eternal glory that is also coming our way.
A prayer about these things:
Lord, what would we do without Your Word
to help set our minds and hearts straight, and to give us Your
heavenly, eternal perspective on life? We would be in despair. So, thank
You for giving us Your Word, and the Holy Spirit to teach us the truths
in Your Word, and to help us put them to use and walk in the Spirit,
taking Your Word to heart, and letting it comfort and guide us as we go
through life. We pray today for friends, or family that are going
through a fiery trial, that we might be able to share these truths with
them. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
