Thank God for Trials (9/16-17)

16-17 Sept 2015 - Thank God for Trials – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you” (NLT).

How do we respond or react to that verse 12? Should we get upset, mad or angry? What does the Bible teaches us? The next verse 13 from NLT quotes, “Instead, be very glad …” Glad? How are we going to be glad about the fiery trials? Let’s dig the word, glad. I found one word, grateful, another meaning, “thankful.”

Another question: Why should we be thankful for all the fiery trials we are going through? The answer: It is “because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering …” (1 Peter 4:13). Partners with Christ in his suffering? Ever thought of that? I guess I forgot that … Thank you Holy Spirit for reminding us why we need to thank God for trials so we are partners with Christ. That, certainly, is a great honor to be partners with Christ in his suffering.

Another question: What is the result of taking part with Christ’s suffering? The answer: “And afterward you will have wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world” (1 Peter 4:13 NLT). When we continue to thank God for the trials, in the future when Christ comes, we will have wonderful joy sharing his glory for all the world could see.

I say, “Wow!” I hasn’t thought of it that much before. Now reading them again and experiencing the trials we go through, it makes the Word of God more alive and powerful than before. So Holy Spirit is working on our hearts to “rejoice” in our trials according to KJV. I like to repeat James 1:2-4 NLT as a reminder.

“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything” (NLT James 1:2-4).

So let us be thankful for the trials and be partners with Christ’s suffering!

Song: Thanks to God (2nd of 3 lines)

Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain! (song)

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

(J.A. Hultamn, 1861-1942, August Ludvig Storm,

1862-1914, Tr. C.E. Backstrom, 1901)