“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:6–7, NLT)
Not long after winning a weightlifting competition, a powerlifter got a nasty cold. The cold virus attacked his lungs and gave him bronchitis. Not long after, his doctor confirmed he had pneumonia. For two weeks, the powerlifter could not do his normal exercise routine. In fact, he had difficulty just breathing normally. At night, he would cough for several minutes straight, only to collapse back into his bed.
After several more weeks feeling miserable, the powerlifter saw his doctor again. The doctor warned the man not to go back to intense exercise for a few weeks at least. The powerlifter was so convinced in his strength and fitness that he ignored the doctor’s orders. On a Monday morning, he convinced himself that while feeling somewhat better, he would hit the gym and do some weightlifting. He warmed up, then went to do the first lift. He could barely lift the bar and a few plates, less than a third of his normal ability! It took him several months to get back into competitive form.
A sick individual can envision him or herself able to go right back to work when that might hardly be the case! An inexperienced singer can imagine herself singing a popular tune at a nightclub. That doesn’t mean she can do it in all reality! Watching a football game and knowing all the stats of your favorite team doesn’t mean you’ll make a good coach. Even knowing a lot about a project doesn’t make you adept at completing it. The fact of the matter is that you can really only gauge your abilities by going out and performing a task. Just thinking you can do something doesn’t mean you can. When push comes to shove, when challenges block your way or personal insecurities rise up, you may find yourself unable to rise to the occasion.
Spiritually, this applies as well. A person may think he has the ability to preach from the pulpit even if he is afraid of public speaking. He might find it much more daunting to stand up there on a Sunday morning and accomplish this work well! A new Christian might figure she has more than adequate amounts of faith to teach others about Jesus. It might be her own pride that is pushing her to think so! Sometimes, the only real way to know if you can accomplish a spiritual task is for you to face the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and put your faith to the test!
At the time when Peter wrote the scripture for today from 1 Peter 1: 6-7, many faithful people faced persecution and ostracism for their belief in Jesus. That is why in the first verse, Peter mentioned that faithful Christians “must endure many trials for a while”. Times were difficult for believers. Romans were killing Christians. Jews were stoning them. In the city of Rome, Christians were forced to move underground to worship together safely. Some Christians resented these persecutions and trials. They began not only to resent the Jews and Greeks and Romans who led the persecutions but even to question why God allowed such suffering. 1 Peter 1:6 challenged these questions. Peter wrote that “these trials will show that your faith is genuine”. Peter believed that like gold is refined by fire to become purer and more valuable, a true Christian will shine when put under trials and facing persecution or suffering or setbacks. Their faith will prove itself priceless despite misfortune or disappointment. 1 Peter 1:7 confirms that “when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” God will notice that true faith and bless it.
John Hunt almost died as a young man. At 16, he contracted an unknown virus that went to his brain. He barely survived the illness. A few years later, he felt moved by the Lord to be a missionary to Fiji. He left with his young wife Hanna. This is their story…
“…on December 22, 1838 they arrived on the Fiji islands as missionaries. They shuddered at the sight. Two-thirds of all children were boiled and eaten. Every village had its human butcher. Aged parents were butchered and eaten by their children. A man would often cook his best wife or most tender child as a feast for his closest friends.
Some time after their arrival the chief’s youngest son was lost at sea. Seventeen women were killed and roasted as a result, and Hanna was forced to watch. The islanders then insisted the missionaries leave. But the Hunts refused. They found increasing numbers willing to listen.
Hunt translated the New Testament into Fijian and kept preaching fearlessly. Converts increased and chapels were built. At length, Hunt’s health broke, and when the islanders realized their missionary was ill, they flocked to the chapels to pray for him.
Hunt was dying but urged his wife and the islanders to praise the Lord and not be afraid nor sad. With his last breath, he uttered, “I want to praise the Lord abundantly, Hallelujah!”
The island was moved by his death, and even the wicked King Thakombau confessed Christ openly. Much of Fiji was transformed. The church in Fiji became a model of missionary work for the world.” (On This Day, December 22 reading)
John Hunt almost died. His marriage was hampered by his work among the Fijians. He witnessed terrible atrocities while trying to convert the people. His wife was forced to watch the murder and dismemberment of seventeen women. Children known to the couple were sacrificed to pagan gods. Despite all the trials; notwithstanding their physical and emotional pain; John and Hanna Hunt persevered. Their faith shone so brightly that many islanders begged to know more about Jesus!
Sometimes, the very trials you suffer will become the foundations of a powerful holy witness! Those obstacles you overcome in the name of Jesus will polish your faith to shine brightly. Through it all, hold fast to Jesus. Don’t let the depressing details thrown your way darken your heart or deaden your soul! Like gold refined by fire, let the trials further prove your love for Jesus. Let the strength of God fill your life. Let God’s Spirit empower and encourage you. “When your faith remains strong, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed….” (1 Peter 1:7)
After several more weeks feeling miserable, the powerlifter saw his doctor again. The doctor warned the man not to go back to intense exercise for a few weeks at least. The powerlifter was so convinced in his strength and fitness that he ignored the doctor’s orders. On a Monday morning, he convinced himself that while feeling somewhat better, he would hit the gym and do some weightlifting. He warmed up, then went to do the first lift. He could barely lift the bar and a few plates, less than a third of his normal ability! It took him several months to get back into competitive form.
A sick individual can envision him or herself able to go right back to work when that might hardly be the case! An inexperienced singer can imagine herself singing a popular tune at a nightclub. That doesn’t mean she can do it in all reality! Watching a football game and knowing all the stats of your favorite team doesn’t mean you’ll make a good coach. Even knowing a lot about a project doesn’t make you adept at completing it. The fact of the matter is that you can really only gauge your abilities by going out and performing a task. Just thinking you can do something doesn’t mean you can. When push comes to shove, when challenges block your way or personal insecurities rise up, you may find yourself unable to rise to the occasion.
Spiritually, this applies as well. A person may think he has the ability to preach from the pulpit even if he is afraid of public speaking. He might find it much more daunting to stand up there on a Sunday morning and accomplish this work well! A new Christian might figure she has more than adequate amounts of faith to teach others about Jesus. It might be her own pride that is pushing her to think so! Sometimes, the only real way to know if you can accomplish a spiritual task is for you to face the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and put your faith to the test!
At the time when Peter wrote the scripture for today from 1 Peter 1: 6-7, many faithful people faced persecution and ostracism for their belief in Jesus. That is why in the first verse, Peter mentioned that faithful Christians “must endure many trials for a while”. Times were difficult for believers. Romans were killing Christians. Jews were stoning them. In the city of Rome, Christians were forced to move underground to worship together safely. Some Christians resented these persecutions and trials. They began not only to resent the Jews and Greeks and Romans who led the persecutions but even to question why God allowed such suffering. 1 Peter 1:6 challenged these questions. Peter wrote that “these trials will show that your faith is genuine”. Peter believed that like gold is refined by fire to become purer and more valuable, a true Christian will shine when put under trials and facing persecution or suffering or setbacks. Their faith will prove itself priceless despite misfortune or disappointment. 1 Peter 1:7 confirms that “when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” God will notice that true faith and bless it.
John Hunt almost died as a young man. At 16, he contracted an unknown virus that went to his brain. He barely survived the illness. A few years later, he felt moved by the Lord to be a missionary to Fiji. He left with his young wife Hanna. This is their story…
“…on December 22, 1838 they arrived on the Fiji islands as missionaries. They shuddered at the sight. Two-thirds of all children were boiled and eaten. Every village had its human butcher. Aged parents were butchered and eaten by their children. A man would often cook his best wife or most tender child as a feast for his closest friends.
Some time after their arrival the chief’s youngest son was lost at sea. Seventeen women were killed and roasted as a result, and Hanna was forced to watch. The islanders then insisted the missionaries leave. But the Hunts refused. They found increasing numbers willing to listen.
Hunt translated the New Testament into Fijian and kept preaching fearlessly. Converts increased and chapels were built. At length, Hunt’s health broke, and when the islanders realized their missionary was ill, they flocked to the chapels to pray for him.
Hunt was dying but urged his wife and the islanders to praise the Lord and not be afraid nor sad. With his last breath, he uttered, “I want to praise the Lord abundantly, Hallelujah!”
The island was moved by his death, and even the wicked King Thakombau confessed Christ openly. Much of Fiji was transformed. The church in Fiji became a model of missionary work for the world.” (On This Day, December 22 reading)
John Hunt almost died. His marriage was hampered by his work among the Fijians. He witnessed terrible atrocities while trying to convert the people. His wife was forced to watch the murder and dismemberment of seventeen women. Children known to the couple were sacrificed to pagan gods. Despite all the trials; notwithstanding their physical and emotional pain; John and Hanna Hunt persevered. Their faith shone so brightly that many islanders begged to know more about Jesus!
Sometimes, the very trials you suffer will become the foundations of a powerful holy witness! Those obstacles you overcome in the name of Jesus will polish your faith to shine brightly. Through it all, hold fast to Jesus. Don’t let the depressing details thrown your way darken your heart or deaden your soul! Like gold refined by fire, let the trials further prove your love for Jesus. Let the strength of God fill your life. Let God’s Spirit empower and encourage you. “When your faith remains strong, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed….” (1 Peter 1:7)