“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. “ 1 Peter 4:12
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“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials…”. 1 Peter 1:6. God uses fire “to test the genuineness of our faith, which will prove to be more precious than gold though perishes when tested by fire-may we be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Christ Jesus.” 1 Peter 1:7. I think it’s safe to say we all know what the feeling of fire feels like and the kind of pain it brings, but the word of God uses this scripture to explain how He also uses fire (painful experiences) to purify us. These experiences are used to burn away experiences in our lives that limit our full potential in Christ and take away His Glory. Malachi 3:3 explains how “God sits as a refiner and purifier of silver, He purified the sons of Levi and refined them as gold and silver, which resulted in them bringing offerings of righteousness to the Lord.”
With God nothing is wasted! In Romans 8:28 “ He uses All things to work together for our good and His glory.” When we are refined by fire as in Job 23:10 “we shall come out as pure gold.” As believers in Christ we are reminded in “John 15:1-27 Jesus is the True Vine “ I am the vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. All ready you are clean because of the word I have spoken to you, unless you abide in me , and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…”. Although, “we are tried for a season, pure for eternity” says Warren W. Wiersbe, he reminds us when God permit is His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. His loving heart knows how much and how long. 1 Peter 1:6,7.
The word ensures us through the toughest of times to “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. So we are not to loose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away , our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. May God be glorified! In Jesus Name. Amen.