Verse of the Day 10/2

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  English Standard Version (ESV)

We all know that at times in our lives we will face "various' trials, they come in all shapes and colors.  The word the caught my attention in today's verses was "grieved".  It is a word that narrows down the scope of the trials being considered.  Think back on the trials in your life that have grieved you, caused you heartache and a sense of loss.  Often these are things that cannot be mended,cannot be undone and for which there are no "do overs".

We are called, challenged to endure them "for a little while", being aware that the little while may last years or for the course of a lifetime, while in comparisons to an eternity won't amount to much.

To consider the things we are to rejoice in we must look back a few verses, starting in verse 3.  His great mercy leads it off, followed by a living hope, an imperishable inheritance, and a salvation that cannot be taken away or kept from us.  It is these things that we hold onto that help us through our trials.

Our son Jeff, who had been the subject of our deepest trial, through it has shown us a lot about these verses and this concept.  He has acknowledged that he has "the peace that passes understanding"  (Philippians 4:7) and has told us that "hope is his favorite thing to have".  In spite of what has happened to him, and at least in part from what has happened to him, he has this living hope.  This hope, his faith can be seen by us and it is a faith that is "more precious than gold".

Of these trials that grieve us, I recently read that "we are not just to look on the bright side" as a matter of positive thinking  to make things better but rather, resting in God's grace, "enduring these trials strengthens our faith.  Persevering through times of suffering deepens our joy.  We are able to face challenges, day in and day out, because we focus on God's promises to save us - and we believe that our God always keeps His promises."

Read the passage from The Message below.  May it be our realization today "what a God we have".

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Peter 1:3-7The Message (MSG)

A New Life

^3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

^6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.