Many times in the Christian life there arise trials, difficulties, and adversities. As a child of God if you have experienced, or are experiencing these, 1 Peter 4:12-13 has a message for you: “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. And James in 5:10 calls attention to “the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience” and continues in verse 11 by sighting Job who suffered severely as Satan attacked his character before God, then followed the loss of possessions, children, and health; yet “he did not sin nor did he charge God foolishly” Job 1:22. Yes he may have had some erroneous theology as he admits in 42:3 “I have uttered what I did not understand”, yet God said he was “blameless and upright” 1:1, 8. When he looked beyond the present pain he could say, “when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold” 23:10. What can we take away from this? This suffering is preparing us to partake of Christ’s glory and joy, (cf. Romans 8:18); next it is to produce patience in us, (cf. Romans 5:3-5); It is also to purify us as gold is purified in the heat of the smelt, (cf. Psalm 66:10). Then in Psalm 73:1-17 the Psalmist could not understand why the ungodly seemed to be so at ease and the righteous suffered such adversity “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” Yes, he got his focus right!
God is making gold
By Rose Hill
God is making gold and silver today,
It seems like trouble is here to stay.
He is proving and trying me as silver is tried,
He has put me in the fire to be purified.
Happy I am if patient under trial,
And it doesn’t matter if He asks self-denial.
For I would do anything to have His favor,
And hear the “well done” from my Savior.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission,