Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 18
Read 1 Peter 1:1-21

The insane and evil Nero was rising to power in Rome, and persecution was on the horizon for the believers in Asia Minor to whom Peter wrote this letter. They were un settling times for these Christians, to say the least. These believers could have embraced dread and been paralyzed by fear, but instead they chose to be joyful in the midst of a trial. Peter wrote, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials” (1:6). They were fully assured that they were kept by God, and they boldly walked through dark days with faith and joy.
The trials we face are meant for a purpose. Each trial is meant to prove, purify, and perfect our faith, and knowing this purpose helps eradicate our fear. As our faith is strengthened, our joy increases (Nehemiah 8:10). Peter used a picture from the work of a goldsmith to illustrate how God purifies our faith. Fire is how gold is put to the test. Dross is removed, making a purer gold. The goldsmith’s fire is a symbol of the trials we encounter. God purifies our faith when, through trials, doubts are weakened and our assurance is strengthened. Tried and proven faith is trusted and precious faith. Gold will perish; true faith will not.
Do not fear the temporary, multi-faceted, dark trials that may come into your life. They do not take God by surprise, and they are necessary for the purifying of your faith. As Peter said, “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon His grace” (1:3).