Joy in Trial

Dale Buchanan

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9 KJV)

In my country thus far, we have always enjoyed freedom of religion. 

But persecution was a reality to Peter and countless others through the centuries. 

They prepared to suffer. 

Peter knew he would die as a martyr because Jesus told him. (John 21:18-19).

Their focus was on Jesus. 

Jesus was preeminent in their lives. 

In the time of suffering, they could rejoice. 

Even though some of the recipients of this letter had never physically seen Jesus, they could rejoice with unspeakable joy. 

They knew that even if they died for Jesus, it was only the beginning of a joyous eternity with Christ.

 
Bishop Ridley of England died as a martyr for the cause of Christ on October 16, 1555. 

Shortly before being burned at the stake, he wrote a farewell to his followers. 

“If you love me, you will rejoice that God has called me to this honor, which is greater than any earthly honor I could ever attain. 

Who wouldn’t be happy to die for this cause? 

I trust in my Lord God, who put His mind, will, and affection in my heart, and choose to lose all my worldly substance and my life, too, rather than deny His known truth. 

He will comfort me, aid me, and strengthen me forever, even to the yielding of my spirit and soul into His hands. 

I most heartily beg His infinite goodness and mercy through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Abridged version, Foxe’s Christian Martyrs, p. 153)

 
Rejoice in the Lord today, no matter what trial you are facing.

Summary: As born-again believers, we can rejoice in the Lord regardless of our trials.

Keywords: trial of your faith, trial, faith, suffering, persecution, Rejoice in the Lord, joy unspeakable

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