“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).
TEXT —1 Peter 1:6-12
Message
John Stevens was a faithful preacher in the 20th Century England. He decided to join the British Army and serve his country during World War I in 1914. John’s faith was put to the ultimate test as he endured the horrors of war, witnessing unspeakable suffering and loss. Despite the chaos surrounding him, he clung to his faith, finding solace in prayer and Scripture. He was captured and imprisoned in a German Prisoner of War (POW) camp. John spent hours in prayer, pouring out his heart and seeking God’s guidance. He also shared the message of hope with his fellow prisoners, leading Bible studies and offering words of encouragement. Then, in 1918, the war finally ended, and John was liberated from captivity. He was reunited with his family and congregation. Though he bore the physical scars of his ordeal, his spirit remained unbroken. John must have been greatly influenced by the message in our passage today.
Today, we are served with a message of hope and comfort to believers who are facing the challenges of life, hardships, and suffering across the world. The passage compares the trial of faith to the refining of gold through fire, emphasising the preciousness of faith that endures trials. The purification and strengthening of our faith through challenges will ultimately lead to praise, honour, and glory at the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
As we confront the challenges of our present world, we must continue to draw inspiration from the Scripture and understand that our faith in the Lord will be tried and tested. Happily, we have the assurance of triumphing in all these trials and vicissitudes of life as our confidence is rooted in real salvation and the power of unfailing Scripture.
We must therefore persevere through trials, hold our faith as a precious gift, fight the good fight of faith, and look forward to the ultimate salvation of our souls through Christ.
Thought for the day
The hottest furnace cannot alarm a true Christian as long as Christ is there with him.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
