Lesson 9 - 1 Peter 1:3-9, Problems, Proof & Praise

As I left the office that day, for the last time, I exclaimed out loud in my car "Oh no Lord, not another trial. This was to be THE answer, THE job, YOUR provision after a season of challenge and confusion. How can this be? What did I do wrong? Why are You punishing me?"

With that, my work life changed, again, with no real idea of what was next.

That is a tough place to be, and not to be made light of in the moment. But, and this is critical, there IS hope, and there WAS a purpose, a clear reason, a point to the madness. In fact, I see at least TWO great points, and 1 Peter 1:3-9 says it all far better than I am able:

^{3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.}

Point 1 - Problems prove our genuine faith. As we experience the vagaries of life, to varying degrees in different seasons, our faith is proven genuine again and again.

Now, make no mistake, if the faith that is tested is false, or superficial, it will be revealed through life's trials. You see it there in the middle of the verse - even gold refined by fire perishes. Faith, refined in the fire and found wanting, perishes. But, a faith that is real, substantial, of the Holy Spirit, that type of genuine faith is evidenced IN the trials, time and time again.

Point 2 - Proven genuine faith, tossed about and tested, results in Praise. This is the reason for all of it, and, in fact, all of our lives with and by God. Over and over throughout Scriptures God reminds us that He is working in us and through us FOR HIS GLORY and FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. God, in His perfect wisdom and grace, brings about faith which is proven genuine in problems and then results in praise of His glorious Name!

In the midst of a trial yourself today? Rest in this truth and praise the Name of Him who is endlessly worthy to be praised!