We live in two realms. The physical realm, which include taste, touch, feel, sight, hear…, and also the spiritual realm. In the Spiritual realm, faith in Him is under attack, through “thoughts,” to doubt GOD, deny Him, fear, despair, self -reliance, questionings that lead you downward into hopelessness or exalt you into delusion. God is faithful who has called us into fellowship with His Son.” {1 Cor 1:9}. Faith in Him is a choice. It is developed by His Spirit taking His Word and enlightening it to us and our applying it. We all walk by faith , and make choices by faith. The realm that dominates is the realm we trust. Trusting Him does not keep us from difficulties, for Peter writes and commends believers who were suffering and for their love displayed in times of testings, when their faith was under attack. Look at the response of faith they chose. They did not live as thought there were no troubles but in the midst they made choices to believe Him. Look at the words underlined.
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”- {1 Peter 1:6-9}
Troubles are part and parcel of life and the Christian is not absolved, consider these verses…
- “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8).
- Of us it says, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives…. If you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons” (Heb. 12:6, 8).
- “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12).
- “In the world you have tribulation” (John 16:33).
- “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
Peter later wrote, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Pet. 4:12).
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, we have left everything and followed You. What then will there be for us?” (Matt. 19:27). Jesus added, “… along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:30).
Two realms we live in at any given time. Physical and Spiritual. The peoeple chose to and we can learn also…RELATE all to the LORD, RELY and RECEIVE from Him all we need through the troubles. Some practtical truths is..
- REJOICE in Him, Read 1:2-9 and underline the blessings He has imarted such as “New Birth,..A Living Hope…Inheritance…” He does not deny their suffering,{1:6 speaks of pain. They were suffering. I:3-5 they Rejoice in their Great God, His salvationt, inheritance and reasons to rejoice in Him in the midst of their suffering.He has them focus on Him, and their inheritance in Him. Suffering is temporal as severe and painful as it is. Eterntiy with Him is forever. Paul said we can be sorrowful yet rejoicing.{2 Cor 6:10, Acts 16:26}. SUPERNATURAL Joy, He imparts.As we focus on Him and His salvation for us!
- REJOICE IN HIS RETURN – Knowing it would work out to His praise and glory at His return. Think on Him, He is coming!
- REJOICE He knows you love him, your faith in Him shows.
- REJOICE In The SURETY and SECURITY of your Salvation.
- PRAISE HIM -{1:3}
Keep trusting Him.
Let His Word, His realm dominate your thinking, influence your descion making, motivations, in this physical realm! Feed your soul with His Word…Think on Him chose to rejoice, Think on His coming again. Think on the truth He knows you love Him. Think on the truth your salvation is sure and secure! Chose to think and rejoice on Him. “Bless Him, Praise Him…” is the response. In your pain, as real and painful as it is, He can enable you to focus on Truths to encourage you and transform your thinking, to trust Him in the cooker presssure. You are doing well, He knows you love Him in the midst of the struggles.
Transforming truths to THINK on In Troubling Times!
Think and Trust Him, His Greatness and your Great Salvation!