1 PETER 4:12–19
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you
(1 Peter 4:12).
Another reason we should not be surprised by suffering is that it is a mark of the Christian life. It is a means of sanctification as we are refined through fiery, and often painful, trials. It was this kind of suffering that the apostle wrote about in 1 Peter: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 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.”
This suffering for Christ can take many forms. Sometimes it comes as a direct result of our worship of God. We might suffer persecution, imprisonment, even death for the sake of Christ. Other times, this suffering is designed more for our sanctification as well as a witness of Christ’s power in our lives.
Three examples from Scripture give us insight into this kind of suffering: Job, the blind man in John 9, and Jesus Himself. In the case of Job, he lost his family, his livelihood, and his health. But for what purpose? He never really discovered exactly why he was suffering. God never gave him an answer to that question. Instead, the Lord revealed Himself to Job in a way that He had never done before. Job’s trials were certainly a test of his faith, but they were much more. They taught him to trust in God (“though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”), and they served as a lesson into the character of God, that He is the One who gives and He is the One who takes away. And whether He gives or takes, Job learned to trust and praise God regardless.
We have already studied the case of the blind man in John 9, but let us simply remember Jesus’ teaching showing that the man suffered not on account of his own sin, but so the healing power of Christ would be revealed in his weakness.
Lastly, Christ Himself suffered for the salvation of His people. Pain, suffering, and death are at the heart of our religion. But out of death comes life, out of suffering comes joy, out of humiliation comes exaltation. Like our Lord, we will endure suffering for a season, but there will come a day when we will be lifted up to glory where every tear will be dried and every broken heart mended.
CORAM DEO
Psalm 1–3
Acts 16:1–15
Take a piece of paper. At the top, describe a particular trial that you are going through. It might be an illness, a broken relationship, or financial problems. Then write down all the things you have learned, or think you can learn, about God and yourself through that trial. Does that help you thank Him for trials?
For further study: Job 2:7–10 • John 9:1–12 • Heb. 2:10–18 • 1 Peter 5:10–11
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july