1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

I don’t know anyone volunteering to undergo difficult trials, yet in God’s plan these are important for the development and proving of our faith. You might ask why does our faith need to be proved? Doesn’t God know everything? Doesn’t He know what’s in our hearts? I think the point is that God knows, but we don’t always know what’s in our own hearts. When gold is heated, the impurities that were previously hidden come to the surface, and are skimmed off, and so it is with the purifying process of our faith.

It’s interesting to note also that even Jesus obedience had to be tested. Hebrews 5:8-9 says ‘Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him’. You could say that Jesus passed both His theory and practical tests.

It’s a bit like getting your drivers licence. You can pass the theory test with 100%, but you don’t get your licence until you’ve actually driven on the road. What you can do in theory is then proved and witnessed. Be encouraged, your trials are preparing you for promotion for the things God has in store for you.

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