THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 22, 2023

Lord, it happens every time I publicly claim to be a Christ follower. I state my faith in what you did on the cross to redeem me from eternal destruction—then you fulfill a promise.

True to your promises in 1 Peter 1:7, you don’t let my claims slide without a test. To say these trials will be good for me offers little comfort.  Your Word promises your followers will go through the fires of trials and tests during our transformation into becoming more like you. Some more than others. That certainly includes me.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7)

Lord, because you hold my faith more precious than gold, these trials are meant to reveal to me the level of my faith. How genuine is my commitment? Do I fold when you allow the heat to increase?

Or … am I the ‘real deal?’ Do I allow the increase in heat to transform me more into your image? I understand these trials are temporary, and a greater glory awaits me afterward. These trials are required if Christ followers are to be effective in showing skeptics the power of your sustaining grace.

Lord, I may not understand now, but you have a higher purpose in allowing these trials in my life. May I learn to thank you when being tested in the fire.  Amen, Jesus.