Some Strange Thing Happened: Finding Joy in Fiery Trials

Have you ever felt like you were doing everything right, living a life of faith, and then suddenly, a storm hits? It can feel disorienting, even unfair. But what if I told you that these trials aren’t strange at all? What if they’re a part of the journey? In 1 Peter 4:12-13, we’re encouraged not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us. Instead, we’re told to rejoice! How can we rejoice in suffering? Let’s explore this together.

Understanding the Times: The Last Dispensation of Grace

To really grasp what’s going on here, we need to understand where we are in God’s timeline. We’re living in the last dispensation of God’s grace, a time when the triumphant church is carrying the Gospel to the world.

Think about it like this: throughout history, God has interacted with humanity in different ways, each building upon the last. We’ve seen grace through:

• Creation
• Conscience
• Law
• Scriptures/Prophets
• The Only Begotten Son (Jesus)

And now, we’re in the age of the triumphant church. Jesus said in Luke 13:32, “Today and tomorrow I do cures, and cast out devils, and the third day I shall be perfected.” We are nearing the end of that “tomorrow,” a time of incredible ministry and power. What is the Third Day? It is the Millennial Reign of Christ.

The Good Samaritan: A Picture of Christ’s Love for Us

How does Christ minister to us? Remember the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10)? It’s a powerful picture of Jesus’ love for lost humanity.

Imagine a man traveling down a dangerous road to Jericho, a place of temptation. He’s robbed, beaten, and left for dead. Who comes to his rescue? Not the priest or the Levite, but the Good Samaritan, who represents Christ.

He pours oil (salvation) and wine (the Holy Spirit) on the man’s wounds, carries him to an inn (the Comforter), and pays the innkeeper (the Holy Ghost) two pence (two days’ wages) to care for him until he returns. This is Jesus’ promise: He’s coming back (John 14). And as the angels said, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Unlocking Bible Prophecy: One Day Is As a Thousand Years

So, what does this “two days” mean? 2 Peter 3:8 gives us a key: “Be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” This comes from Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses.

Using this key, we see we’re nearing the close of the second day. Jesus has given the church two days of incredible ministry, marked by laying hands on the sick, casting out devils, speaking in tongues, and overcoming evil.

Recognizing the Signs of the Times

Are you paying attention to what is happening around you? We need to be sober, level-headed, and prayerful, watching for the signs of the times. Just as we can tell when winter is turning to spring, we should be able to discern the signs of Jesus’ return. Even the Jewish people recognize that something significant is about to happen.

Fervent Charity and Hospitality: Loving Like Christ

In these last days, we’re called to have fervent charity and passionate love for one another. This kind of love doesn’t boast, doesn’t think evil, and isn’t proud. It sees people’s potential in Christ, not their weaknesses. It’s like a mother’s love, unwavering even when her child makes mistakes.

We’re also called to use hospitality, which means caring for one another in a way that restores, renews, and revives. Some people have been so damaged by the world that they need a “recovery room” to heal. We need to be patient and not grumble as they’re being conformed to the image of Christ. This aligns with the principles of spiritual warfare and healing.

Stewards of God’s Grace: Giving Freely

What have we been given? We are stewards of God’s grace. God has freely given us barrels and barrels of grace, and we’re to freely give it to others. We can’t hold back or ration it out like soup during the Depression. We need to give until the cup runs over. If someone needs more grace, give it to them! God’s love is wide, reaching to the highest and the lowest, covering every nation and every tongue.

The Power of Speech: Guarding Our Mouths

Do you think about what you’re going to say before you open your mouth? Our speech should follow the example of Christ. It’s a good idea to pray, “Put a watchman over my lips and guard my mouth.”

Click Our Ad to Support Us!

God has given us the ability to minister, and in all things, He should be glorified through Christ Jesus.

The Inevitable Storm: Fiery Trials Are Not Strange

Even as we live this transformed life, we need to remember something crucial: trials are coming. Don’t think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you. Even if you’re walking in faith, praying, loving, and being a good steward of grace, storms will still come.

Think of the Apostle Paul in Acts 27. He was in the middle of a vicious storm for 14 days, unable to see the sun, moon, or stars.

We shouldn’t think that being born again guarantees a trouble-free life. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

Rejoicing in Suffering: A Different Perspective

When trials come, we have a choice. We can become negative and discouraged, or we can rejoice.

Rejoice that this trial didn’t come because you’re an evildoer, a murderer, a thief, a drunkard, or someone who sows discord among brethren. Sowing discord is an abomination to God.

Even Christ, the Anointed One, suffered in this fallen world. So, when we fall into the fiery trial, we can rejoice knowing that His glory shall be revealed in us. It is not that we are joyful for the trial but rather we rejoice in the hope and expectation.

Holding On: Faith in the Midst of the Storm

How do we continue in faith during trials? We remember this truth: We don’t quit.

Remember the story of the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace? They knew that God could deliver them, but even if He didn’t, they wouldn’t bow down to the idol. They said, “We may burn alive, but God’s going to get glory out of this.”

His glory will be revealed when we persevere with faith.

His Glory Will Be Revealed

Are you going through a storm right now? Are you facing a fiery trial? Don’t quit. Hold on to your faith. God’s glory will be revealed. You might have to just put your feet down and say, “I will not quit.”

If you don’t quit, if you hold on, His glory will be revealed somewhere. Do not be discouraged!

Don’t quit!