“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7

I find myself constantly falling to my face multiple times in one day; staying in prayer for God’s mercy to be extended towards us all; especially when I consider the dire circumstances that are occurring all over this world. Nations are divided, the evil deeds of men- guided by the arch-enemy of our souls, that old serpent, the devil- is running rampant, and there are many who struggle just to have a meal to place on the table. But all is not lost… we have a hope that is built on nothing less than Jesus’ shed blood and His righteousness. God is in control and He knows how to provide, protect and give peace to all His beloved children!

We can agree that this road that we travel is not one of ease and comfort, it’s a fact that we all go through the fires of life at times. But take note of this old familiar hymn and find consolation:

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

And all the world go free?

No, there’s a cross for everyone,

And there’s a cross for me.

God is sovereign and has the ultimate plan for our lives. Every trial, every victory is working to mold us into what God has established for us to be– we must stand sure and confident in our calling and rest in the faithful promises of God; in and through Him we are overcomers of this life’s afflictions; we may not know how, or even when, buy our Lord will come through…because  He is faithful that promised. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Peter wrote these reassuring words of God’s power to keep us in and through every trial and temptation; “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1: 5-7. 

My friends, every born-again believer is counted as one of God precious jewels, and He is spiritually refining us to present us faultless before the  presence of His glory. .. blameless and saved from sins hell fires…hallelujah! “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 24.

If we honestly believe that He is omnipotent and raised Jesus from the dead so that we could have eternal life; then we know without any shadow of doubt that He holds us safe in His everlasting arms. For we walk by faith and not by sight…. it is through the fire my dear friends that our weaknesses are made strong; therefore we can run this Christian race in joy, hope and peace, having great assurance as Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

So, this day let us praise God and give thanks for His all-sufficient and all- powerful existence. He is the Great I AM, who sustains all creation. And the best part of it all is that His love is unconditionally; thanks be to God that we have the assurance of His amazing grace and we are kept safe and secure forever! “But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10. Don’t lose hope, when you are down to nothing, God is up to something!” 

Blessings and peace to all!