We read 1 Peter 1:6-12 and SOAPed 6-7.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us[b] they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
I hope y'all are having a great day! I'm feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed by an over-busy schedule that just tends to happen at this time of the year! Trying to settle, be still, quiet my soul, and sit in His presence for a few minutes...
Observations/Applications for today:
"In this..." In what? Somebody who knows writing better than me, help me to answer! Is "this" referring back to what was said previously (a living hope and an incorruptible inheritance, our assurance based on the power of God) or what will be said in verse 7? Either way, it makes sense, because both should be cause for rejoicing...
So - in "this", whatever it is... we should GREATLY rejoice! The girls and I are studying joy this week. I don't think this is one of the passages that we referenced, but if you highlighted every reference to joy or rejoicing in your Bible, it would be covered up with highlighter!
We are to rejoice even though right now we may be in heaviness through trials. Isn't it great that God isn't all sunshine and lollipops? He knows we will have trials. The fact that he knows is comfort in itself. He reminds us that it's for a season. Don't you hate it when you're in the middle of a major emotional meltdown about something (usually parenting), and somebody with a little more experience than you tells you, "It's just a season!" Those can be exasperating words to hear, but lo and behold, if you allow a little time to pass, that thing that was making you insane was, indeed, a season. The person who advised you simply had a little longer perspective than you did at the time. God has an infinite perspective, and if He tells us that our trials are for a season, we must trust Him!
In verse 7, I don't know if I've ever read that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold! (Or is it saying that our faith is more precious than gold?) I really should have paid better attention in sentence structure lessons. What do you think? Does far more precious than gold refer to the trial of our faith or to our faith itself?
I pray that any trials I'm called to endure "might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." I want my life to honor Him, and the times when people see that most clearly is when we are in the midst of suffering. I can't tell you how many times I observed this in my sister's walk through Cole's cancer. His diagnosis sort of thrust her into a more public life than she was accustomed to. And people watched to see how she would respond. I'm so proud that she brought glory to God throughout her journey! We're still praying hard that their journey is OVER! Glad to bring glory to Christ through it, but would just as soon not do it another time! Praise God for healing so far - and let that cancer be completely obliterated!!!
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