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“This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 4b-7)
Have you ever thought about why God tests our faith? I think that most of us could probably say that when trials or challenges have come our way, we may have had the thought, “Why is this happening to me?” or maybe, “When is this going to end?” I know that I have. I have found incredible hope in discovering the reason behind why God allows us to go through certain trials and to suffer grief in various forms. It’s not because he delights in watching his children suffer trials. Believe it or not, it is always for our good in the end. It is not to weaken our faith or to cause us to grow weary. It is to test the work he has been doing in us and then display it to us, others, and to the unseen realm. It is never to shame us but always intended to bring honor.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Here, we see clearly that apart from faith, we can’t even please God, ever. No amount of gold, silver, talents, efforts, or strivings will ever please the Father. He is only pleased by faith. This is great news! God sees and values what is most precious. Our faith. Specifically our faith in the gospel of Jesus and his promises. Have you ever spent time thinking about how our faith is more precious than gold? I wonder how diligent we would be in earnestly seeking the Lord if we understood that our faith is what God treasures, not our works. Genuine faith will always lead to good works, but works alone will never lead to pleasing God. Our faith not only pleases God, but faith is the vehicle we travel in to gain access to the limitless resources God has made available to us in Christ Jesus.
“This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” Faith is the very substance that protects and shields us by God’s power until Jesus returns. I have another question: what is our faith shielding us from? Our faith shields us from many things that I believe can be summed up in one definition: the strategies of the devil. The devil is seeking to devour our faith because he knows that this is what is most precious to God. He also seeks to attack faith because if we put down our shield of faith, then we are susceptible to the deceptive strategies the enemy uses to weaken and diminish our faith.
I have seen this take place in life: God allows trials and suffering to take place in people's lives. Instead of considering it pure joy to suffer, the enemy begins to attack in the midst of suffering with accusations. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The joy of the Holy Spirit not only fills our hearts with gladness but acts as a supernatural empowering agent in the midst of trials and tribulations in this age. The joy of the Lord strengthens our hearts and keeps them from growing weary in seemingly hopeless situations.
The devil says, “Why would God allow you to go through this?” This creates doubt in the very nature of God and his motives. It also robs us of growing into mature followers of Christ by allowing perseverance to finish its intended work inside of us. We can slowly move out from under God’s powerful shield of protection as we move from faith to fear, to doubt, and ultimately to unbelief. God always chooses to purify what he holds most precious. If you are under trials and are suffering in any form, consider it an opportunity for the precious faith that is within your heart to be displayed and honored by God as he continues to test the eternal work he is doing inside of you. Don’t shrink back in fear, but allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart afresh with joy and faith so that perseverance may make you mature and more fully conform you into the image of Jesus.
