“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.
Because –
1Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
There is no rejoicing because of difficult circumstances however, we can continue to rejoice in and through trials because of our future and the certain hope we have in Christ. Those who are chosen are able to rejoice in the grace and peace of Christ given to them, because of His mercy (v.3), because of our inheritance reserved in heaven (v.4), because we are protected by His power for salvation (v.5).
The foundation for rejoicing through trials has been laid out for us in the previous verses. Notice the adjective attached to rejoice in verse six – greatly. This is more than just accepting difficult circumstances, it is moving through them with absolute knowledge that in the end all is well with our soul. Consider the account of Horatio Spafford. He survived the great Chicago Fire of 1871 in which he lost most of his real estate investment. Then in 1873, he planned to join his wife and four daughters on a transatlantic cruise after he finished some business. He sent them on their way, and later received tragic news that all four of his children had drowned when the ocean liner was in a freak collision with an iron tanker. Later, approaching the scene of the wreckage, he penned the hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul, (Wikipedia).
Matthew Poole’s Commentary explains rejoicing as “an outward expression of the inward gladness of the heart”. Our hope is based upon what we know for the future – we are saved to glory, where at last we will be safe and secure in the presence of God. Therefore, we are able to greatly rejoice even through the distress of trials. We are able to rejoice in the truth of our present salvation and rejoice in the hope of our future reward. Jump ahead to the words in 1 Peter 1:9, “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls”. In comparison to all eternity, our difficult circumstances are for a little while. The KJV translates this phrase to the word season. It literally means puny. Our trials may seem lengthy and overwhelming but this is because our context is wrong. We tend to look at things in the sense of time according to what we understand.
Days, weeks, months, years and decades are the means by which we measure our existence. Yet, our soul is eternal, lasting forever with Christ. Our calendar, compared with eternity, pales in its significance. As a visual, take a sheet of paper and mark a point with the sharp tip of a pencil. That point is our time on earth.
2Corinthians 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
Most of us will encounter difficult circumstances that are unavoidable such as illness, death, and the effects of poor decisions made by others. There are those who have experienced flooding, fires, tornadoes, and all types of weather related disasters. Accidents happen every day; and each of us is touched at one time or another by the folly of man such as gossip, dishonesty, and pride. Certainly, God is able to take any trial away from us yet often He allows difficulties for our good. We may sorrow for the trial itself, but at the same time, we can rejoice in God’s care and the hope of our salvation.
Take a moment to think of the difficult times God has allowed in your life. Trials are designed to change our character.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1Peter 4:12 Beloved, 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;
Not everyone will experience the same trials. We may hear of those who seem to experience difficult circumstances often and we know of those who rarely experience hardship. We definitely do not want to invite trials into our life but when they surface, we are to keep our focus on God’s purpose – the refining of our faith. Therefore, our attitude during difficult times should be one of rejoicing in God’s plan. This is having a smile on your soul and peace in your heart even while tears may be streaming down your face.
“God's design in afflicting his people is their probation, not their destruction; their advantage, not their ruin: a trial, as the word signifies, is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith. This trial is made upon faith principally, rather than any other grace, because the trial of this is, in effect, the trial of all that is good in us. Our Christianity depends upon our faith; if this be wanting, there is nothing else that is spiritually good in us. Christ prays for this apostle, that his faith might not fail; if that be supported, all the rest will stand firm; the faith of good people is tried, that they themselves may have the comfort of it, God the glory of it, and others the benefit of it.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Read this word picture from William Burkitt’s New Testament Commentary, “As the coldness of the winter kills the weeds in our grounds, so the cold blasts of affliction … kill our corruptions in our souls. Perpetual shinings and fair seasons are reserved for heaven: cold blasts and nipping frosts are needful and useful here on earth …”
We will experience grief through various trials. Yet, nothing here on earth will change the joy we have in our future and in knowing Christ. External circumstances may cause sorrow yet God’s faithfulness is a reason to rejoice always. When difficulties present themselves, either we succumb to temptation or we can choose to persevere in truth, proving the sincerity of our faith.
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him.
Peter was writing to the Christians who had been scattered throughout the region as outcasts. They were persecuted and had many temptations to renounce their faith. The reminder to keep focused on their eternal home would help them to remain faithful even while their hearts were heavy. Their faith was being tested.
What is your response when it seems difficult to do the right thing?
Do you succumb to the world or rejoice in the Truth?
Are you able to look at trials as an opportunity to grow in your faith?
Consider this. As a parent, I can remember many times when it would have been easier to ignore a potential problem in the way one of my children were acting or thinking. It was easier to avoid having to discipline. There is no happiness in causing those you love to be discouraged. Yet, love has a responsibility. Real love will allow some difficulty in order to teach and mature. Holding on to this same thought, I often wonder at the immense love my Savior has for me to allow hard circumstances in my life in order to refine my thinking. The fact that God even cares enough about me to know what I need to be strengthened in my faith is mind-boggling. There is a purpose in His plan to cause His children to be more like Him, to gain understanding and to grow in their trust of His promises. I am caused to kneel before Him and thank Him for His great love.
