May 4, 2023

1 Peter 1:6–9 (NKJV) — 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 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.

At best life is difficult. There are all kinds of trials and temptations we meet each day. The trials and temptations are unlimited, some brought on by self, and some brought on by others. There comes a time when we want to just throw up our hands and say “I quit.” And yet we know that is not a possibility. We know there is the calling of God in our lives.

What is it that keeps the Christian going, moving through the daily grind in life? What is it, when faced with the darkness of sin in a world of sin that continually motivates the believer in Christ to keep on keeping on?

The true believer is called to stand and to stand firmly in opposition to the selfish, immoral, and greedy ways of this world. First-century Christians were no different from today. Trials and temptations for saints were found in abundance. Peter wants the reader to know what we face on earth is only for a season. Our salvation is close at hand, we will be delivered from the sufferings and pains of this world. We know we do not walk alone, even though it may seem so in the darkness of a sinful world.

The trials and temptations of life cause a heaviness in our soul and spirit. We grieve mentally and spiritually. There is suffering, and sorrow in our soul, our spirit. We grieve for the lost. We grieve for those professing Christ but allowing the darkness of sin to rule in their lives. We labor for Christ. We love because Christ loves us. How do we conquer the trials and temptations of life which so easily besets us? We must face whatever stands between us and God head-on. Not in a worldly manner but we do as Paul writes about in Ephesians 6:10-18, we put on the spiritual armor of God. We prepare ourselves by living for Jesus and not ourselves. We understand this time in the flesh is only temporary. The day is coming when we will be with God in Heaven and we will understand it better by and by.

“When the Morning Comes”

Trials dark on ev’ry hand, and we cannot understand All the ways that God would lead us to that blessed Promised Land; But He’ll guide us with His eye,

and we’ll follow till we die; We will understand it better by and by.

Oft our cherished plans have failed, disappointments have prevailed, And we’ve wandered in the darkness, heavyhearted and alone; But we’re trusting in the Lord, and according to His Word, We will understand it better by and by.

Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares, And our hearts are made to bleed for some thoughtless word or deed, And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best, But we’ll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes, When the saints of God are gathered home, We will tell the story how we’ve overcome; We will understand it better by and by.