When I
became a Christian I honestly thought everything would be great. People told me
it would be the best decision I ever made. Not to mention that some people told
me my problems would get better and while that was all true and God did deliver
me from various sins in my life and restored my marriage. What people don’t
tell you is the battle shifts especially when you’re a new believer. With the acceptance
of Jesus as Your Lord and savior there are new attacks that you need to be
prepared for. That the truth is too often we fail to prepare and support the
new believer as they face them. Leaving them open to condemnation and
distraction from the enemy which intern leads them back into their sinful
nature and past. I have heard it said and probably even have thought it myself
that life was simpler before I got saved. However, this is not a new struggle
that believers face it has been around since the Apostles and each writer in
the Bible address the issue at some point in time. Peter is no exception and we
read about it hear in 1Peter 1:6-7;
6 In this you rejoice, though now
for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so
that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes
though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and
honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)
There are
two parts to Peter’s Message here first is the fact that all believers at one
point or time will be and are tested with trials. Just when you think
everything is going great there will be a time of testing that God allows with
one sole purpose and that is to test your faith in Him. Those times when you
feel like God is not present in your situation are just opportunities for your
faith to be tested. We see this throughout scripture both in the Old and New
Testaments. One example can be found in 2 Chronicles 32:31;
31 And so in the matter of the
envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the
sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test
him and to know all that was in his heart. (ESV)
You know
even Jesus experienced a time when God was far from Him. We know this from the
author of Hebrews;
15 For we do not have a high
priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every
respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
(ESV)
While we are
told this in Hebrews the Gospel writers also recorded these times of testing. The
one most of us will recognize is found in Matthew 26:36-46 and Jesus prayer to
in The Garden of Gethsemane. I just want to share a few verses of this passage;
42 Again, for the second time, he
went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your
will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for
their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and
prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.
Matthew
26:42-44 (ESV)
We also see
this at the cross as Jesus cries out the passages of Psalm 22:
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus
cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew
27:46 (ESV)
If Jesus had
times when God pulled away from Him to test His faith and we know and this to
be true than we can expect and anticipate that time will come that each of us
will also. However, Peter does not leave us in a state of worry about how long
this will last he reassures us after the fire subsides we will be able to offer
a greater praise for the faithfulness of God. So today if you are feeling a
little like Johnny Cash and you feel like you have fallen into a blazing ring
of fire, let me assure you it is to bring strength to you personally and honor
and glory to God who is always able to save. Be blessed today as you walk in
the light of God’s Word.
