Grace & Truth Chapel
131 Fardale Avenue ~ Mahwah, New Jersey
Phone 201-327-6226 ~ E-mail gtchapel@juno.com

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"Three Truths about Trials" (posted July 12, 2013)

   [You] are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
   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, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
   - 1 Peter 1:5-7

To be guarded by the power of God from the dangers of the way does not mean that we shall have no trials to meet. In the prospect of the heavenly inheritance we can greatly rejoice, though in the present we may be put to grief through manifold trials. These trials are for the testing of our faith. In the sight of man gold is counted most precious; in the sight of God the faith of His people is much more precious than gold. If men try their gold in the fire to purify it from dross, shall not God prove the faith of His people by fiery trials in order to manifest the reality of their faith, as well as to purify and stengthen their faith?

By these trials we are put to grief. God does not mean His people to be unmoved by trials and untouched by sorrows; but in the grief and sorrow He would draw out our faith in Himself. For our comfort, we are reminded of three definite truths in connection with these trials.

First, we learn that our trials are only for a season. If the pleasures of the sinner are only for a season (Hebrews 11:25), so too the sorrows of the saints are but for a season.

Secondly, we are reminded that there is a need for these sorrows, for these trials are for a season "if need be." The Father does not cause His children a needless tear. The "need be" is to prove our faith. This does not mean to prove whether we have faith, but rather to make manifest the preciousness of the faith we have.

Gold is not put into the fire to prove that it is gold but to bring out the precious qualities of the metal. So God proves our faith by various trials to bring out the precious qualities of our faith. Faith, counting upon God in the trial, leads to submission to what God allows; faith in God enables the soul to wait in patience (James 1:3). Faith in God enables the believer to be steadfast against the attacks of the enemy (1 Peter 5:9). The soul may have true faith, but when the trial comes these blessed qualities of faith-- submission, patience, steadfastness, confidence, and dependence on God-- become manifest.

Thirdly, we learn that trials have a blessed answer in the coming day of glory. The manifestation of these qualities in the day of trial will lead to praise and honor and glory in the day of Jesus Christ. We are apt to think that a time of deep trial, which may prevent us from taking part in active service for the Lord, is all lost time. No, says God; it will be "found unto praise" at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Whatever the trials we may have to pass through down here, we have in Christ an Object for our affections: one in whom we can trust, though we do not see Him; one in whom we rejoice with a joy that is a foretaste of the coming glory. Thus in the midst of trials we have an unfailing resource in Christ.

Hamilton Smith



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