It will be worth it all

          At church we have just started a series on I Peter – you know… the book that was written to encourage God’s people who were facing trials and persecution. (You are probably thinking what I was – “oh great!! Wonder what is coming…”)

                But once we got started reading, I was reminded of the fantastic verses in this book. Words of real encouragement for really hard times!

                Going through life and hitting bumps along the way we hear people ask “why would God allow this to happen?” The trials the early church faced were more than just little disappointments over a change of plans or being bypassed for a promotion at work. These were serious, life threatening moments. And Peter was bold enough to tell them to rejoice “though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trial.”

                Well, I don’t know about you, but when I am going through an honest-to-goodness real trial, I’m not thinking it feels like a “little while”. It feels like I am never going to get through it – like the fire is hot enough to destroy me not just refine me. And the “why, God?” can quickly roll of my tongue.

`              But it occurs to me that God has given the answer to that question -

“These (trials) have come so that your faith,

of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire,

may be proved genuine

 and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

I Peter 1:7

               

                I’m thinking I better put this verse on one of my 3x5 cards to remind me to keep going on the days I want to give up! Because God gave us not one but two reasons for what His loving hand allows to come our way - so faith can be proved genuine and that Jesus Christ will be revealed with all the praise, glory and honor due Him!

                During the sermon on Sunday I was reminded of another oldie-but-goodie song that fits this very theme…

“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ,

One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase

So bravely run the race ‘til we see Christ.”

                I have no idea what you may be facing. Bad news from the doctor? An adult child walking away from his faith?  Betrayal in your marriage? Or maybe you live in a place in this world where to mention the name of Jesus will bring imprisonment or even a death sentence. These are all serious, life threatening moments. But be brave, Dear One!! Keep running the race and know the moment you glimpse His face it will have been worth every moment!