Writing to Yahweh’s chosen people, the apostle Peter opens his letter with wonderful information about the amazing future ahead. “…we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay,” he exclaims [1 Peter 1:4, New Living Translation]. He continues by saying that through our faith Yahweh is protecting us by His power until the day we receive this inheritance. What an incredible statement! How do you feel about Yahweh’s protection being linked to your faith? Does the thought make you feel a little ‘wobbly’? How can we know our faith is sufficient? The short answer, I’m afraid, is we can’t! But the happy answer is that Yahweh Himself is taking care of the growth of our faith.
“There is wonderful joy ahead,” continues Peter, “even though you must endure many trials for a little while” [v6, italics added]. Have you ever wondered about the difficulties and problems we encounter along the way? Walking with Yahshua is definitely not a formula for trouble-free living! “These trials will show that your faith is genuine,” says Peter. “It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold” [v7]. When gold is being purified it has to be heated again and again, and each time the temperature increases. A skilled goldsmith knows exactly how much heat the precious ore can stand, and he will continue with the process until his own image is reflected back to him perfectly.
Faith is a quality that must be tested, and must grow. Yahweh Himself designs the trials, not to make us suffer, but to increase our faith until the image of Yahshua reflects back perfectly. Comfortingly, Yahweh says, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” [Isaiah 43:2]. Even Abraham’s faith was tested [Hebrews 11:17], and Yahshua, too, faced many trials. “If for a little time we must be tried, let us set our faces like flints to bear the trial. Let us not be intoxicated with sorrow or fear,” cries Charles Spurgeon. We can rest assured that our Father has everything under control!
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1 Corinthians 15:19-20 NIV - If only for this life we have hope in - Bible Gateway
Rejoice, Rejoice, Oh Christian, Lift Up Your Voice And Sing Eternal Hallelujahs To [Yahshua the Messiah] The King! The Hope Of All Who Seek Him, The Help Of All Who Find, None Other Is So Loving, So Good And Kind.
Homer A. Rodeheaver
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