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PRECIOUS TO GOD

These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery 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 1:7 (NLT)

            As Peter penned this letter he was writing to people who were either already suffering greatly for their belief in Christ or very likely soon would be. For those that received this correspondence, martyrdom was not something that happened to people living far away or in another time period. They and their loved ones were experiencing first hand what it meant to give their all, even their lives for their faith. It is interesting that Peter never offers a promise that their suffering would end. Instead he tells them that the trials they were going through would purify their faith, like pure gold rising to the top after being refined by fire.

            The faith of those who suffer for God is said to be precious to the Father. Of course, all demonstrations of Christian faith are prized by God, but for those who willingly go through fiery trials, there appears to be a special affection. When the final revelation of Christ to the world takes place, those with this kind of faith will be praised by God Himself.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord, may you grant strength to those who face trials for their faith today.